Prince William pays respects at great-grandmother’s tomb in moving tribute

Prince William made a “profoundly moving” tribute to his great-grandmother by paying his respects at the side of her tomb on the final day of his historic tour of the Middle East.

The Duke of Cambridge was pictured stood in prayer by the side of the resting place of Princess Alice of Battenberg at the Church of St Mary Magdalene.

The Russian Orthodox church sits on the Mount of Olives above the Old City in east Jerusalem, and William was met there by Archimandrite Roman, Father Roman, the head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, and Abbess Elizabeth. He was pictured laying flowers down before standing for a moment with his back to cameras as he shared a private moment with his late relative.

Following his prayer, William was reportedly shown several photos of Princess Alice and her family tree, and according to the Mail Online, he said: “It’s absolutely fascinating to hear about the family history.”

He was later presented with gifts for himself, his wife Catherine, and his children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, including a 19th century Russian cross and small crosses and wooden Easter eggs for the kids.

“These are crosses for their rooms, so that they have a blessing for Jerusalem,” Father Roman is said to have told him, to which William replied: “Thank you, that’s very kind, they’ll love them.”

The Duke of Cambridge visits the Western Wall. pic.twitter.com/sNQrAusPzh

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 28, 2018

After the visit, Father Roman reportedly added of William: “He said he found it profoundly moving, he was certainly moved to learn more about his family history and pay his respects to his great-grandmother in such a holy place.”

It was an action-packed final day for William, as he also visited al-Aqsa Mosque, before standing to rest his hand on the Western Wall. He finished it with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

It comes after he visited the ruins in Jordan where the Duchess of Cambridge played as a child in the 1980s.

The Duke of Cambridge visits the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/u2hQ19Bgyi

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 28, 2018

Read more: Prince William’s sweet tribute to Kate and in-laws during visit to Jordan

Taking to Twitter, Kensington Palace shared a photo of the Prince alongside one of the Duchess and her family when she was only small.

“The Duke of Cambridge visits Jerash, the same site that The Duchess of Cambridge visited, aged 4, with her sister and father when the family lived in Jordan,” the post read.

The adorable family snap was taken in 1984 while Kate’s father worked in the country and featured on an easel at the Roman Ruins of Jerash during William’s visit.

The Duke of Cambridge visits Jerash, the same site that The Duchess of Cambridge visited, aged 4, with her sister and father when the family lived in Jordan. pic.twitter.com/PMoFrr4Snt

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 25, 2018

Unfortunately, Catherine was unable to make the trip with her husband as she’s busy tending to newborn, Prince Louis and their other two children. 

However, The Sun reported William said she loved her time living in Jordan as a child and commented, “we’ll have to bring the kids next time”.

“She loved it here, she really did,” he said. “She is very upset that I am coming here without her.”

Have you visited Jerusalem?