Tearful Prince Charles Inspects Public's Floral Tributes To Duke

Mourners from all over the world brought Prince Charles close to tears yesterday as he reflected on the huge sea of flowers sent with love for his late father.

- Richard Palmer

Charles looked visibly moved when he went with wife Camilla to see the bouquets and bunches which had been left for Prince Philip outside Buckingham Palace and other royal residences across the capital.

And there were thousands of them – along with heartfelt messages.

The Palace had been worried about crowds gathering to look at floral tributes during the coronavirus pandemic, so had asked the public to make contributions to charity instead.

But many took no notice, preferring to say how they felt about Prince Philip in the traditional way – with flowers. And the bouquets just kept coming.

At Windsor, staff have been moving the ones left at the 950-year-old castle to outside St George’s Chapel, where the Duke’s funeral will be held tomorrow.

In London, Royal Parks staff moved them to Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth and its secretariat, close to Clarence House.

They were all laid out in the garden for the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall to see.