This is the heart-warming moment the Countess of Wessex shares a hug with a young well-wisher in Manchester as large crowds gathered to pay tribute to the Queen.

Prince Edward and his wife were in Manchester to light a candle in memory of the late monarch at the city's cathedral.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex also viewed floral tributes at St Ann's Square and the book of condolence at Manchester's Central Library before going out to greet floods of people who gathered to meet them and pay their respects.

The young well-wished, Josh, passed a bouquet of flowers to the Countess when she first walked round. The royal couple received warm applause from the crowd as they made there way back to a car to leave, but the Countess saw the youngster holding his arms outstretched, reports The Mirror.

She rushed over to give Josh, who was clutching a teddy bear, a warm embrace before leaving.

Sophie Wessex with Josh

Speaking to Sky News afterwards, Josh said the heart-warming moment made him feel 'happy' - and he also revealed his love for the Queen's famous handbags and Paddington Bear.

Josh's mum, Sue, explained what it meant to her son, who is non-verbal. She revealed Sophie had said: "Nice to meet you. Do you want me to take your flowers?"

"It was quite emotional to be honest. I'm trying to hold it all in," said Sue. "I wanted to lay some flowers but I wasn't expecting Sophie to come over and take them off him. It was a nice moment."

Meanwhile, the Earl of Wessex was seen crouching down as he laid a floral tribute to his mother in poignant scenes. Sue praised the couple for taking the time to speak to every person on the front row as she revealed what Sophie had said to her son.

The mother and son had been travelling to Manchester to lay flowers, but decided to come down earlier after discovering the Wessexes were visiting. "It's going to be a nice memory," she added.

The Countess accepts a bouquet of flowers

The Wessexes travelled to Manchester after attending the procession of Her Majesty's coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Members of the public have flocked to Manchester Cathedral since the monarch's death to sign a book of condolence and light candles.

The earl and countess were invited by the Dean of Manchester, the Very Rev Rogers Govender, and the Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, to each light a candle. They were also shown photographs of the Queen's last visit to the cathedral, to mark the 600th anniversary celebration of the collegiate church in July 2021.

Earlier, city council leader Bev Craig showed Edward and Sophie similar books of condolence opened at the library's reading room, where they also looked at a number of cards written by local children.

The royal couple then moved on to St Ann’s Square which, in May 2017, was filled with bouquets of flowers and heartfelt messages and tributes in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing in which 22 people were killed.

The Earl of Wessex inspects tributes

Floral tributes and messages of condolence have been left in the square again in large numbers in memory of the Queen. The Earl of Wessex laid a floral tribute as he inspected the bouquets surrounding the statue of free trade campaigner Richard Cobden.

Council employee Juliet Felstead, 27, who is leading a team of volunteers overlooking the site, spoke to Edward.

She said: "He was just really grateful for all of the volunteers who have been out over the week to oversee the tributes. They were both touched by all the messages and the kindness that has been shown.

"We have seen a steady stream of people, with many sharing their memories of the Queen, including some ex-service personnel. It’s meant a lot to people.”

The cards and messages will be saved and later archived at Manchester Art Gallery, as the Arena bombing tributes were.

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