The Duke of Edinburgh reportedly persuaded Prince William and Prince Harry to walk with the late Princess Diana's coffin at her funeral.

The Duke of Cambridge and his younger brother lost their mother in 1997 and were encouraged to walk in the procession the evening prior to their mother's funeral by their 96-year-old grandfather, but the action was believed to have been decided until the "last possible moment".

Speaking about the moment and the decision making process in an ITV documentary titled 'Diana: The Day Britain Cried', Sir Malcolm Ross - who is the courtier responsible for the sad ceremony - said: 'The involvement of the princes on the day, we didn't address until the last possible moment.

"I understand it was at a family supper on the Friday night at Buckingham Palace that the decision was made and Prince Philip, after some discussion, said to the boys, 'I'll walk, if you walk'."

However, Harry - who is currently dating 'Suits' actress Meghan Markle - has previously revealed he was surprised he was asked to take part in the procession as a child.

Speaking previously, he said: "No child should be asked to do that."

And the pair have openly admitted they were deeply hurt by the loss of their mother.

Speaking previously, William said: "There's nothing like it in the world. There really isn't. It's like an earthquake has just run through the house and through your life and everything. Your mind is completely split."

And William - who has four-year-old son Prince George and two-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte with his wife the Duchess of Cambridge - has admitted it took a long time for reality to sink in.

He added: "And it took me a while for it to actually sink in."