Princess Eugenie bursts into tears and is comforted by Andrew while reading Queen tributes
PRINCESS Eugenie and Prince Andrew could be seen comforting each other as they inspected the flower tributes and messages members of the public have been leaving outside Balmoral in memory of the Queen.
Prince Andrew hugs emotional Princess Eugenie
Princess Eugenie left Balmoral for the first time since rushing to Scotland following the death of her grandmother the Queen on Thursday. The youngest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York joined sister Princess Beatrice, dad Prince Andrew and her aunt, uncle and cousins to take a look at the many tributes laid outside the gates of the Balmoral Estate since news of Her Majesty's death broke.
Eugenie could be seen leaning into her father as she read out some of the messages, Prince Andrew hugging her close and patting her back in a display of support and comfort.
While the family sought to maintain their usual aplomb, the younger members betrayed their sense of loss, with Zara Phillips and Lady Louise Windsor seemingly struggling to hold back their tears.
Eugenie could be seen dabbing away a few tears before crouching down to read some of the messages the hundreds of mourners who have been flocking to Balmoral have left.
Princess Anne could then be seen approaching the section her niece and younger brother had been inspecting and exchanged a few hushed words with Princess Eugenie.
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Lady Louise looks devastated as she's pictured arriving at church in Balmoral with Eugenie
Lady Louise Windsor looked devastated as she left Balmoral to attend a church service for the Queen.
Princess Eugenie is known to have enjoyed from a very close relationship with the Queen, normally calling her "grannie" when referring to her in public rather than opting for the stuffier "Her Majesty".
In a celebratory piece marking her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, Eugenie said: "Her Majesty the Queen is an incomparable monarch who has reached a record-breaking milestone. She also happens to be my grannie, and I am a very proud granddaughter.
"I think about my son August and what I’d like for him, what kind of world I’d like him to grow up in.
"And I think of my grannie and what she has stood for, for so many people and for our family during these 70 years.
"I’d love Augie to have her patience, her calmness, and her kindness, while always being able to laugh at himself and keep a twinkle in his eye."
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Princess Eugenie and older sister Beatrice grew up in Berkshire and would often spend their afternoon at Windsor Castle when their grandmother and grandfather, the late Duke of Edinburgh, were in residence.
While the princesses hold no official representative role, they could often be spotted at royal events and attending Buckingham Palace's infamous summer parties.
They also appeared on the balcony alongside the Queen at Trooping the Colour before access to the balcony was reduced to the immediate heirs to the throne following the pandemic.
Princess Eugenie splits her time between Windsor, where she has been renting her cousin Prince Harry's Frogmore Cottage, and Portugal, where she lives with her husband Jack Brooksbank and their son August.
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King Charles also thanked the thousands of members of the public who have come out since the Queen's death to pay their respect and show their support to the Royal Family.
During his proclamation, he said: "It is the greatest consolation to me to know of the sympathy expressed by so many to my sister and brothers and that such overwhelming affection and support should be extended to our whole family in our loss."
He added: "I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty which have now passed to me.
"In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional Government and to seek the peace, harmony, and prosperity of the peoples of these islands and of the Commonwealth Realms and Territories throughout the world.
"And in carrying out the heavy task that has been laid upon me, and to which I now dedicate what remains to me of my life, I pray for the guidance and help of Almighty God."