‘Void’ in Queen’s life after Philip’s death
THE Queen has described the death of her husband the Duke of Edinburgh as “having left a huge void in her life”.
The Duke of York revealed the personal feelings of his mother after attending a church service where members of the royal family said prayers for Philip as the nation remembered him.
Andrew described the death of his father on Friday aged 99 as resonating with many people, saying: “We’ve lost almost the grandfather of the nation.”
The Countess of Wessex candidly described the circumstances of Philip’s death as “very peaceful” when she chatted to a member of the congregation, saying it was if “somebody took him by the hand and off he went”.
Later, the Princess Royal paid her own tribute, describing her father as “my teacher, my supporter and my critic”. Andrew said members of the family have been rallying round to support the Queen as she deals with the death of her partner of more than 70 years.
The Duke of York was joined at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, by the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their daughter Lady Louise Windsor for a service yesterday.
Andrew said: “The Queen, as you would expect, is an incredibly stoic person. “She described it as having left a huge void in her life but we, the family, the ones that are close, are rallying round to make sure that we’re there to support her.” Sophie and Edward appeared visibly moved as they spoke about the Queen, with their daughter by their side, after the service. The Queen is “thinking of others before herself”, the countess said, and Edward added: “As always. But bearing up, and again it’s just that wave of affection for him and just those lovely stories. “They just mean so much and the tributes have been just fantastic. That’s really, really important and we really do appreciate it.”
In a message released yesterday, Anne said it was her father’s “example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate”.
The monarchy is observing two weeks of royal mourning.
Philip’s wishes are the driving force behind the funeral plans, and on Saturday his coffin will be transported from the castle to the chapel in a modified Land Rover he helped to design, followed by the Prince of Wales and senior royals on foot. The coffin will be covered with the duke’s personal standard, together with his naval cap and sword and a wreath of flowers.
Only 30 people – expected to be his children, grandchildren and other close family – will attend as guests, but the Duchess of Sussex has been advised by her doctor not to travel to the UK for the funeral, a palace spokesman said.
All public elements of the funeral – to take place entirely in the grounds of the castle – have been cancelled, but it will be televised.