Prince William Warned Mourners At Queen's Coffin Procession Not To Cry: 'You'll Start Me'

Prince William had a "very difficult" time during Wednesday's procession for his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. He even warned a crowd member outside Sandringham House not to cry because he was also feeling emotional.

The newly crowned Prince and Princess of Wales took time to greet well-wishers and royal fans waiting behind metal barriers outside of the historic Norwich Gates. While speaking with the crowd, the 40-year-old Prince also revealed that the ceremonial procession of his beloved grandmother had brought back memories of the past since it was the same ritual he had to attend following the death of his mother Princess Diana in 1997, according to The Telegraph.

"He said how difficult it was yesterday and how it reminded him of his mum's funeral... Catherine [Kate Middleton] said it's just been such a difficult time for all of them, for the whole family," Jane Wells, 54, from Lincolnshire, told the outlet.

Another crowd member approached Prince William, telling him that she was "close to tears," but the Prince, who was also feeling intensely emotional told her, "Don't cry now - you'll start me."

Aside from reminiscing the memories of the past, the Prince and his wife Kate Middleton, 40, read the messages on the "sea of floral tributes" placed at the gates of the royal residence. He even spoke to one retried dry cleaner, Peggy Butcher, and told her that the "sea of flowers is unbelievable."

On Wednesday, members of the royal family including Prince William and his brother Prince Harry walked behind the longest-serving monarch's coffin as it traveled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where it would remain until the state funeral on Monday.

But the path was quite familiar to the brothers since it brought back the memories of walking behind their mother's coffin during her funeral ceremonies. Prince William and Prince Harry, aged 15 and 12, respectively, at that time, followed a route that began in Princess Diana's home at Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey, People reported.

Prince William even admitted in the BBC's documentary "Diana, 7 Days," released in 2017, that it was the "hardest thing" he's ever done and that he felt like his mother was "almost walking along beside" them to get through it, according to the same source.

The late Princess Diana's coffin was reportedly "draped in the Royal Standard and crowned in white flowers," similar to the ceremony of the Queen on Wednesday.

"William said he thinks Monday will be hard," Bex Neeve, 44, from the county of Norfolk exclusively, shared with People the short conversation she had with the Prince of Wales while waiting to see him.

She continued, "Kate said it's been overwhelming, and she and William are very grateful for everyone being here. She was emotional. They seemed like they were here to soak up all the love."

Her mother, Sharon Clouting, 64, also expressed her opinion toward Prince William, saying that he was "his mother's son" since he was "chatting so easily and very sincere."

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral would be held at the Westminster Abbey on Sept. 19.