Prince Philip’s funeral: Kate Middleton travels to St George’s Chapel

The Duchess of Cambridge was the picture of dignified grace as she departed Kensington Palace today.

Kate Middleton, 39, who enjoyed a good relationship with her husband’s grandfather, was photographed leaving for St George’s Chapel in the back of a car.

The mother-of-three wore the Queen’s pearls, a black face covering and black fascinator with a lace veil as she travelled to Windsor with husband Prince William.

The Duchess of Cambridge has not been seen since news of Prince Philip’s death was announced last week but the official Kensington Royal Instagram account shared a photo of the Duke of Edinburgh with Prince George in tribute.

Though she has taken part in numerous royal events over the years, today will be the first major royal funeral the duchess has attended.

Kate and Prince Philip enjoyed a good relationship, with Prince William saying he was thankful that Kate, who married into the royal family in 2011 after meeting William nearly a decade earlier, had ‘so many years’ to get to know his grandfather.

He said he had used the duke’s example of a life of service as a guide and was lucky to have had him there during ‘good times’ and difficult ones.

The Cambridges are set to see Prince Harry for the first time in a year after the brothers fell out over Megxit and the Sussexes extraordinary Oprah interview.

The mother-of-three wore an elegant pearl necklace, black face covering and black hat with lace mesh covering her eyes

The Duchess of Cambridge travelled with husband Prince William in the back of a car

Kate Middleton, 39, who enjoyed a good relationship with her husband’s grandfather, was photographed leaving for St George’s Chapel in the back of a car

Kate and Prince Philip enjoyed a good relationship, with Prince William saying he was thankful that Kate, who married into the royal family in 2011 after meeting William nearly a decade earlier, had ‘so many years’ to get to know his grandfather. Pictured, in 2017

A number of Kate Middleton’s personal photos have also been used in social media tributes over the last week, including one shared by Mike Tindall last night.

A snap of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh with seven of their great-grandchildren was also released last week, which was taken by the Duchess of Cambridge in Balmoral in 2018.

William said of Philip in his tribute: ‘My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family.

‘I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – both through good times and the hardest days.

‘I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her.’

William said he and Kate have pledged to follow the duke’s wishes and support the Queen.

‘My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support the Queen in the years ahead,’ he said.

‘I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job.’

The Duchess of Cambridge has not been seen since news of Prince Philip’s death was announced last week but the official Kensington Royal Instagram account shared a photo of the Duke of Edinburgh with Prince George in tribute

A number of Kate Middleton’s personal photos have also been used in social media tributes over the last week, including the one above. Pictured, The Queen and Prince Philip with their great-grandchildren, from left, George, Louis, Charlotte, Savannah Phillips, Isla Phillips, Lena Tindall and Mia Tindall. This picture taken by Kate Middleton in 2018