Why Prince Edward won't shake hands with the Queen's mourners
Prince Edward has revealed why he has been declining to shake hands with members of the public who have lined the streets of London to farewell his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The Earl of Wessex surprised mourners outside the gates of Buckingham Palace when he stepped out to greet many in person on Sunday.
During his walkabout, he waved and took time to speak with members of the public.
Yet, despite many reaching their hands forward for a royal greeting, Edward declined.
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Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex met with crowds but refused to shake hands with mourners. Getty
It tours out Edward has quite a simple reason for refusing to shake hands with the public.
"I’ve been trying to avoid it, only because if I do it once, I have to shake everybody’s hand," the Queen's youngest son could be heard telling the gathered crowd.
He further explained.
"I'd love to shake hands, but have you seen how many people there are here? They'd [my hands would] fall off," the Independent quoted him saying.
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All the details on the Queen's funeral. Graphic: Tara Blancato
Edward greeted mourners with wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex. But unlike her husband, Sophie shook hands with many of those in the crowd.
Over the weekend, the Wessexes released a statement in response to the overwhelming show of support for Her Majesty.
"We have been overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has engulfed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect to such a very special and unique person who was always there for us," the royal couple said in a statement.
"And now, we are there for her, united in grief. Thank you for your support, you have no idea how much it means."
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Sophie, Countess of Wessex, shakes hands with mourners outside Buckingham Palace on September 17. Getty
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-serving monarch, passed away peacefully at her Balmoral residence on September 8. She was 96.
Edward was among the Queen's four children– King Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew – to gather at Westminster Hall for a vigil around the Queen's coffin.
Her Majesty will be laid to rest at a State Funeral in London about 7.30pm (AEST).
Ahead of the service, the Abbey's tenor bell will be tolled once a minute for 96 minutes, marking 96 years of the Queen's life.
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