Prince William and his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, have thanked volunteers and operational staff for their work during Queen Elizabeth II's committal service at Windsor Castle.
The pair arrived at Windsor Guildhall on Thursday for their first royal engagement since the late monarch’s funeral.
Both passed on their appreciation to volunteers and staff who worked during the service at St George’s Chapel on Monday afternoon.
They also thanked the group for supporting the large crowds that gathered in Windsor to commemorate the queen and watch the procession of her coffin up the Long Walk to the castle before the service.
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived dressed in dark colours as they continued to observe the royal mourning period, which lasts until Monday.
The joint engagement was their first since Prince William became the heir apparent after the death of his grandmother. The prince has inherited the title Duke of Cornwall and is now the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge, while Kate is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.
The prince revealed that he became “choked up” after seeing the number of Paddington Bear tributes left for the late monarch.
He said that it was “comforting that so many people care”.
“There are certain moments that catch you out. You are prepared for all but certain moments catch you out,” he said.
“It is the things you don’t expect that get to you.”
Speaking later to council workers, Prince William also joked about there being a new “competition” between Paddington Bear and the corgis.
He said Paddington is “a new addition” but “the corgis have been there for longer”.
Prince William and Kate also spoke to members of the Crown Estate, who helped to organise the floral tributes in Windsor, about the number of flowers left by members of the public.
Other members of the royal family are also undertaking engagements on Thursday to thank people involved in the queen’s funeral and to recognise the service of those on deployment overseas.
Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, is visiting Estonia and Germany in his role as Royal Colonel of the 2nd Battalion of the Rifles and Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry.
This trip includes thanking members of the 2nd Rifles for their service to the queen at Camp Tapa, Estonia, and visiting troops from the Royal Wessex Yeomanry at the Normandy Barracks in Paderborn, Germany.
Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, is visiting Portsmouth Naval Base to meet Royal Navy personnel who took part in the funeral procession.
She will also visit St Omer Barracks in Aldershot to meet personnel who played a central role in providing logistical support during the funeral.
Queen Elizabeth II's funeral: extraordinary images from an extraordinary day — in pictures
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King Charles III follows behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre on top, as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey after her state funeral. Reuters -
The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth travels down the Long Walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service at St George's Chapel. AP -
Pall bearers carry the coffin into St. George's Chapel, in Windsor. AP -
A Royal Guard stands by floral tributes at Windsor Castle. AFP -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is pulled on a gun carriage by Royal Navy sailors to Westminster Abbey. Getty Images -
Prince William and Prince Harry follow the coffin of the queen after her state funeral in Westminster Abbey. AP -
Emma, the monarch's fell pony, stands as Queen Elizabeth's coffin passes at Windsor Castle. PA -
Members of the royal household stand with Queen Elizabeth's Corgis, Muick and Sandy, as they await the funeral cortege at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. AP -
Catherine, Princess of Wales, attends the state funeral service in London. AFP -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is pulled along The Mall following her funeral service in Westminster Abbey. AP -
Flowers thrown by the public lie on the hearse carrying the coffin as it arrives at Windsor Castle. AP -
King Charles at the state funeral in London. Reuters -
People sleep before the funeral service at Westminster Abbey. AFP -
A giant screen honouring the late queen at Piccadilly Circus in London. EPA -
King Charles looks towards the coffin of his mother at Westminster Abbey. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, sitting in a car as a British flag is reflected in its window. AFP -
Buckingham Palace household staff return through the gates of the palace after paying their respects. AFP -
Staff Sergeant Yeoman Darren Fowler, right, and Captain Rebecca Cooper from the Royal Signals at the Elizabeth Tower, checking that Big Ben Chimes in time with gunfire during the state funeral procession. EPA -
King Charles salutes as he is driven past Wellington Arch in London. Getty Images -
The London skyline is seen as the procession moves down The Mall. Getty Images -
The coffin of the queen is pulled on a gun carriage by Royal Navy sailors from Westminster Abbey. Getty Images -
Princess Charlotte arrives by car ahead of the funeral in central London. AP -
The coffin is carried into St George's Chapel for the Committal Service, in Windsor Castle. AP -
A woman cries in London's Hyde Park while watching the funeral service. AP -
Prince George looks towards his father Prince William during the Committal Service at St George's Chapel. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth's coffin is driven along the Long Walk towards Windsor Castle. Reuters -
People waiting along the route that the coffin will be pulled on a gun carriage in central London. AP -
King Charles and the Queen Consort Camilla follow the coffin at St George's Chapel. AP -
The Royal State Hearse arrives at Windsor Castle. Getty Images -
King Charles follows the State Gun Carriage as it carries the coffin at Westminster Abbey. PA -
Members of the public gather to see the coffin as it travels from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London. Getty Images -
King Charles and members of the royal family follow behind the coffin as it is carried into Westminster Abbey. PA -
The Imperial State Crown resting on the coffin. Getty Images -
The hearse transporting the coffin is covered in flowers thrown by the public. AFP -
The Bearer Party of The Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards carries the coffin from Westminster Abbey. AFP
