Family’s heartfelt sorrow Reveals profound affection
GRIEF is the price we pay for love – and the heartfelt sorrow displayed by the Royal Family since Prince Philip’s death last Friday is a testament to the profound affection in which he was held by all its members.
A shining light, undimmed for almost a century, has gone out, leaving the Court plunged into the darkness of loss.
But the devotion to his fond memory is highlighted in the way the family has rallied round the Queen who, at 94, is without her beloved companion for the first time in 73 years.
However hard the road ahead looks, she will not have to travel it alone, for her loved ones have promised to be at her side.
Typical of this support was the poignant statement from the Duke’s grand-daughter Eugenie yesterday.
Praising the Prince for his humour and “spectacular” service, she pledged: “We will look after Granny”.
Recalling happier times, the princess, 31, talked of incinerating sausages at family barbecues, with the duke “swooping in to save the day”.
Determination
Eugenie, who had her first child just weeks ago, added: “I remember your hands and your laugh and your favourite beer.
“Thank you for your dedication and love for us all and especially Granny, who we will look after for you.”
The funeral on Saturday will be an ordeal for the Queen, but she will cope by maintaining her characteristic stoicism.
The Duke had exactly same quality.
He loathed self-pity, introspection and navel-gazing.
“Get on with it,” seemed to be his catchphrase.
And making a fuss was utterly alien to him. So he would have admired the decision of his beloved Lilibet to return to her duties while still in mourning.
On Tuesday she was back at work, presiding at a ceremony to mark the retirement of the Lord Chamberlain and yesterday she met the new incumbent, Lord Parker of Minsmere.
The Duke’s daughter, the Princess Royal, also went back to work yesterday.
Anne made an official visit to the the Isle of Wight, where she spent an hour at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, then went to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club at Fishbourne to see young sailors learning their craft.
The Queen, who has cancelled most royal engagements for two weeks, gave Anne special dispensation for the trip because of Philip’s love of sailing.
The Duke was Admiral of the Royal Yacht Squadron and president of the Royal Yachting Association – a position now held by Anne, 70. She was welcomed to the squadron at Cowes by its commodore, Jamie Sheldon, who recalled Prince Philip’s “wonderful and long association” with the island.
Anne recalled how much her father liked visiting the island and enjoyed Cowes Week and other regattas with his late friend and local boat designer Uffa Fox.
Last year she revealed her favourite painting was one of Bloodhound – a 63ft yacht, bought for the royal family at Philip’s request in 1962.
Yesterday she won plaudits from those she met for her extensive knowledge of all things nautical.
Just like the Duke, she did her duty with grace and determination. She was obviously gripped by sadness, as photos of her tear-stained eyes reveal.
But her jaw was firm, manner purposeful.
Chris Rickman, of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, said she was “highly professional”.
That is exactly how the Duke would have conducted himself in the midst of personal tragedy. her