PRINCE Edward avoided shaking hands with well-wishers in a walkabout at Buckingham Palace today.
The Earl of Wessex told mourners if he shook everyone's hands then his would "fall off".
But one royal fan managed to get the Prince to take his outstretched hand after asking if he was "allowed".
Prince Edward responded: "I've been trying to avoid it only because if I do it once I have to shake everybody's hands."
He later told another he would be "here for the rest of the week" when she asked him: "Can I shake your hand, Sir?"
He waved at and spoke with the crowd but held his hands up to decline when some reached out.
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In other moments he failed to acknowledge people's outstretched hands and simply spoke with them instead.
Meanwhile, Sophie Wessex held a baby wearing a "best day ever" top as she greeted well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace, sweet footage shows.
The Countess joined husband Prince Edward and were greeted with cheers from the crowd
The Queen’s youngest son could be heard asking mourners where they had come from and whether they were making their way to Green Park to lay flowers.
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His wife was also given bouquets and a stuffed toy as she shook hands with those gathered.
The Earl of Wessex has told mourners the Queen would “appreciate” the number of people paying their respects.
Well-wishers could be heard telling Edward and Sophie “sorry for your loss” outside Buckingham Palace.
The Queen’s youngest son told those in the crowd: “I know that my mother would really appreciate this fantastic support”.
It came after Kate Middleton stepped up to host world leaders today with King Charles, Prince William and Queen Consort Camilla.
The Princess of Wales spoke with dignitaries from the 14 other countries that have our monarch as head of state.
Princess Anne and the Earl of Wessex also attended this afternoon's lunch for the governors-general of the Commonwealth nations at Buckingham Palace.
Prince William was pictured speaking with Governor of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dame Susan Dougan.
Meanwhile, Princess Catherine was photographed talking with His Excellency Mr. Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, Governor of St Lucia.
The governors-general of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu were among those present.
Kate and William also joined the King and Queen Consort to greet mourners queuing for the Queen's lying in state earlier today.
Crowds cheered as the monarch and his son arrived to thank people for waiting up to 26 hours to pay their respects to Her Majesty at Westminster Hall.
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One person told Wills: "You'll be a brilliant king one day", before he said to another: "It really means a lot that you're here."
And at one point, he warned royal fans: "It's very emotional when you get in there" as he prepped them for stepping foot inside the Palace.
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