In a scene eerily reminiscent of the events of nearly 25 years ago, Prince William, Prince Harry, and now King Charles III walked the streets of London in a procession behind the coffin, surrounded by mourners.

This time the date was Wednesday, September 14, 2022, six days after the Queen died at the age of 96. it seems a moment ago, a lifetime ago, that on September 6, 1997, three people walked behind Princess Diana's coffin, including Prince Philip, who died in 2021, and Charles Spencer, Diana's brother. It seems both a moment ago and a lifetime ago.

This week's coffin procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall reminded William of that awful walk for his mother a quarter century ago. I felt like she [Princess Diana] was walking beside us, encouraging us," he said in a 2017 BBC documentary. The procession took the group of five from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey, where, according to PEOPLE magazine, Diana's coffin was draped with royal standards and crowned with white flowers, just like the queen's.

William was only 15 years old in 1997. While speaking to mourners for about 45 minutes at Sandringham House on Thursday, William told them "how difficult yesterday was and how it reminded him of his mother's funeral," according to one attendee, Jane Wells, a mourner, according to The Telegraph. Princess Catherine said it was "a very difficult time for the whole family"

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On the same walk in Sandringham, mourners told William that they were almost in tears.

According to the Telegraph, the future king told her, "Don't cry now." I would cry."

Mourner Sharon Clouting said of meeting the new Prince of Wales, "You can tell William is his mother's son. He was very easy to talk to and very sincere."

Bex Neave noted the Queen's funeral that day, "William said he thought Monday would be tough. Kate said she was overwhelmed." She was emotional. It was like she was here to soak up all the love".

As the Queen's coffin moves from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, a 1.5-mile procession across London to Wellington Arch, and finally to Windsor Castle, where Her Majesty will be laid to rest in St. George's Chapel.