ROYALS SHARE THE LOVE
William and Kate release joyous photo showing Philip and Queen at their happiest
SURROUNDED by the next generation of Royals, here are the Queen and Prince Philip at their happiest.
The Royal Family opened up its photo albums yesterday to share cherished snaps of the late Duke of Edinburgh.
And William and Kate released this beautiful family picture in tribute to
Philip. The treasured, never-beforeseen snap shows the Queen and her husband surrounded by seven of their doting great-grandchildren.
The heart-warming photo was taken by the Duchess of Cambridge at Balmoral Castle in 2018.
It shows a relaxed Queen and Philip, a couple just like any other – proud great-grandparents in their element as heads of a loyal and loving family and swamped by adoring children.
While the Queen tenderly cradles a baby Prince Louis, Prince Philip has his arm protectively wrapped around Isla Phillips, the youngest child of his grandson, Peter Phillips.
Prince George, wearing shorts and a smart white shirt, stands upright and alert while his sister Princess Charlotte holds her baby brother’s hand and cheekily waves to the camera while flashing a mischievous grin.
Isla’s sister Savannah poses alongside Zara Tindall’s daughters Mia and Lena.
The photos have been released to celebrate the remarkable life of the Duke ahead of his funeral on Saturday.
In another picture, William and Kate are seen with Prince George and Princess Charlotte alongside the Queen and Philip, with the shot also taken at Balmoral in 2015.The Queen is seen smiling at her great-granddaughter, who gazes back lovingly, in an image that has never before been seen in public.
William clutches George’s hand while Kate holds Charlotte, who is wearing a blue bonnet.
A love of polo is highlighted in a black and white picture of the Duke, who died on Friday aged 99.
Pictured along with his son Charles, both men are seen sitting on polo ponies with mallets and helmets in hand during a match.
The image was posted on Charles and Camilla’s official Twitter account alongside a more modern image of the Duke alongside his son and the Duchess after William and Kate’s Westminster Abbey wedding in 2011.
The Duke officially retired from royal duties in 2017. He would have celebrated his 100th birthday on June 10. His funeral will take
place at 3pm on Saturday in St George’s Chapel,Windsor.
The service will begin with a national minute’s silence at three o’clock and will be preceded by a ceremonial procession inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.
It will be a ceremonial royal funeral, rather than a state funeral, the same as for his mother-in-law the Queen Mother, who died in 2002, aged 101.
Meanwhile, his youngest son, Prince Edward, 57, has paid tribute to the Duke.
He said: “He was brilliant. Always absolutely brilliant.
“I’ll remember my father in a number of ways. For what he has done in his public life, for all the organisations he has supported and influenced. And obviously as my father and husband to my mother, and all the work there.”
THE beautiful picture released by Buckingham Palace last night of the Queen and Prince Philip with their great grandchildren captures the affection the Royal Family has for one another and how much Prince Philip will be missed.
While we know and admire the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as people of duty this image reminds us of their joy as loving grandparents and great-grandparents.
The Royal Family’s decision to share these personal pictures must be a reflection of the warmth they have felt with so many people around the world feeling touched by the Duke’s sad death and grateful for his life.