The Queen shed tears for the Duke of Edinburgh at an extraordinary service in remembrance of his remarkable life of service to Britain and his wife today.
Her Majesty stood in Westminster Abbey – where she married Prince Philip in November 1947 – having personally ensured her beloved husband’s final wishes were fulfilled after his covid-hit funeral left her sat alone without the rousing hymns and guests he loved so much.
The 95-year-old monarch used a stick as she was walked to her seat by her disgraced son the Duke of York to give her ‘strength and stay’ Philip the final farewell he had wanted. The service was attended by the Royal Family and his relatives, friends and people who benefitted from his charities. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were the only senior royals not there.
Despite battling mobility problems, she stood to pray and sing anthems during a 40-minute service that her husband of 73 years had helped plan for before his death last April. But in a controversial decision she chose Prince Andrew to support her as she arrived and left the church, clutching his elbow with one hand and a walking stick with the other.
The Queen had stood with tears in her eyes as the 1,800-strong congregation sang Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer before the bells of Westminster Abbey rang out to mark the end of the memorial service for the Duke of Edinburgh in the London church where she was crowned just over 70 years ago.
After she leant on Andrew as she walked back out of the church, the Queen appeared to grimace as she walked to the car hunched over with the Duke of York at her side guiding her towards the Bentley.
She appeared to be holding tightly to her stick and appeared to be making a great effort to get to the vehicle, concentrating very hard in taking each step. Once inside the car she appeared to be back to her normal composed self as the car slowly drove away. She waved to onlookers as she arrived and left the service.
The Queen and the packed abbey had listened as the Dean of Windsor paid tribute to Philip’s intellect, work ethic, sense of humour and devotion to his family.
The Right Reverend David Conner described the duke as a ‘remarkable man’ who was committed to ‘a host of down-to-earth enterprises’. He pointed out that the duke could be ‘abrupt’, and suggested that at times he could forget ‘just how intimidating he could be’.
Princess Beatrice was seen to give a small chuckle as the Dean remarked: ‘He could be somewhat sharp in pricking what he thought to be bubbles of pomposity or sycophancy.’ But then appeared to break down in tears, covering her face with the order of service.
The Queen, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Princess Royal were all dressed in dark green in a subtle tribute to Philip, whose livery colour was Edinburgh Green. A number of others throughout the congregation also wore the shade, including Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award holder Doyin Sonibare who delivered a special tribute about the effect Philip’s youth scheme had on her life.
After the service the Queen expressed her appreciation for her speech that described the impact Philip’s best remembered charitable project had on her life and career.
Flowers at today’s service are a patriotic red, white and blue, at Her Majesty’s request. They included dendrobium orchids, which also featured in the Queen’s wedding bouquet, and eryngium – or sea holly – echoing the duke’s career in the Royal Navy and lifelong affection for the sea. There were also multiple tributes to his intellect, work ethic, sense of humour and devotion to his family and his country.
The Queen stood and shed a tear for her husband today at an extraordinary service in remembrance of his life
The Queen closed her eyes in prayer as she joined senior royals to pay tribute to Prince Philip at his memorial at Westminster Abbey. When she opened her eyes they appeared moist
The Queen arrives at the service holding the Duke of York by the elbow with her left hand and her stick with the right
Andrew releases his mother from his arm as she walks the final steps to her seat unaided
Princess Beatrice was overwhelmed by the service. Stood behind the Queen she cried and covered her face with the order of service as her grandmother removed her glasses
Her Majesty walked with the help of a stick but stood without support sat next to Charles, Camilla, Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. Across the aisle was Prince Andrew
Andrew escorted her to her seat in an extraordinary moment that may have upset other royals. None of the other royals appeared to look up when they arrived
The Queen walks towards her seat at Westminster Abbey after being accompanied down by the aisle by Prince Andrew today
The Queen goes to take her seat as Andrew goes towards his for the service at Westminster Abbey this morning
Prince Andrew travelled with the Queen to Westminster Abbey and appeared to escort her to her seat before taking his own
Prince Andrew was sat next to Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex during today’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey
The Duke of York (centre) and the Earl of Wessex (right) during a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh
Queen Elizabeth II is helped into her car by her son Prince Andrew, right, after attending a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip
She spoke to her son inside the car and waved to the crowds outside the service in London, which ended this afternoon
The Queen as she left Westminster Abbey in her Rolls-Royce today, wearing a regal purple and golden brooch
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, who last month agreed to settle his sex assault lawsuit, left the service in a car with his mother the Queen
A sombre Prince Charles leaves the church with his wife Camilla, who also looked moved by the celebration of Prince Philip’s life
Charles was seen wiping his eyes at the service where he could say goodbye to his father after a pared back funeral last year. Prince Andrew looked serious as he waited to leave with his mother.
source:dailymail
