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 Windsor Castle 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 an elegant pearl necklace, black face covering and black hat trimmed with a lace veil as she travelled with husband Prince William in the back of a car. 

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, this is her first royal funeral.   

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. 

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.’