Royal, civic and national ceremonyEurope
Vigil of the Princes
A ceremony where British royals stand guard over a relative's coffin during state funerals.
The Vigil of the Princes is a ritual within British royal funerals where family members take turns standing watch beside the coffin. It began in 1936 and traditionally involved only male relatives until 2022. The practice honors the deceased through quiet, personal service at Westminster Hall or other locations.
When is Vigil of the Princes kept?
Vigil of the Princes is kept during lying-in-state periods at British state funerals.
The Vigil of the Princes is a solemn duty performed by members of the British royal family. They stand guard over the coffin of a deceased relative during a lying-in-state. This tradition marks a shift from public mourning to private familial respect. It occurs at major state funerals in the United Kingdom.
Origins and history
The custom started in January 1936 when four sons of King George V stood watch after Westminster Hall closed to the public. For decades, this duty fell exclusively to men. In 1953, two sons guarded their mother Queen Mary. The pattern held until 2022, when female members joined the vigil for the first time. Princess Anne stood with her brothers, while granddaughters participated in a separate group vigil.
How it is kept
Family members take sides of the coffin while professional guards remain at the corners. Royals stand one step above the guards for fifteen minutes or less. Each vigil lasts under twenty minutes before relief. Participants wear military uniforms or formal black dress. The King wore a kilt in Edinburgh, while others wore naval or regimental attire. Grandchildren also participate in separate vigils.
Notable vigils
King George V received his sons in 1936. Queen Mary was guarded by her surviving sons in 1953. In 2002, Charles, Andrew, Edward, and Viscount Linley watched over Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The most recent major event occurred in September 2022. The children and grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II both took part in separate ceremonies across London and Edinburgh.
How Vigil of the Princes is kept
Relatives stand beside the coffin for short intervals. They take positions on the sides while guards hold the corners. Participants wear uniform or dark formal clothes. The King wears a kilt in Scotland. Others wear naval or regimental dress. Grandchildren form a separate group. Each vigil lasts about fifteen minutes. The duty rotates among eligible family members.
When and where
It happens during the lying-in-state period of a royal funeral. Dates vary by individual death. The last major instance was September 2022. Events occur in London or Edinburgh depending on the monarch's location.
Westminster Hall in London hosts the main vigil. St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh also serves as a site. The location depends on where the coffin lies in state. Public viewing ends before the family takes their turn.
What Vigil of the Princes means
The ritual shows personal devotion rather than just state protocol. Family members serve directly to honor their relative. It bridges public duty and private grief. Women joining in 2022 expanded the tradition to include all genders. It reflects continuity within the monarchy.
Questions people ask about Vigil of the Princes
When is Vigil of the Princes kept?
Vigil of the Princes is kept during lying-in-state periods at British state funerals.
Where is Vigil of the Princes kept?
Vigil of the Princes belongs to the traditions of United Kingdom.
Who keeps Vigil of the Princes?
As our sources describe it, Vigil of the Princes is kept by The British royal family. Many other communities and families now share it too.
See also
Lord Mayor's ShowAn annual civic parade in London marking the inauguration of the Lord Mayor with a procession and pageantry.
Beating RetreatA military ceremony of music and drill held at sunset to mark the end of a day or a festival.
Victory in Europe DayThe day Nazi Germany's surrender was accepted, marking the end of the war in Europe
Buy Nothing DayAn annual 24-hour pause on shopping to protest consumerism and overconsumptionGood reading and sources
- Grandsons hold vigil as public files pastThe Guardian, Article
- Queen's children perform Vigil of the PrincesBBC, Article
- BBC NEWS | UKBBC, Article
- Grandsons hold vigil as public files pastThe Guardian, Article
- Queen's children perform Vigil of the PrincesBBC, Article
- BBC NEWS | UKBBC, Article
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Vigil of the Princes", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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