Frail Queen carries on in honour of husband despite mobility issues
It was a show of determination from a frail Queen in honour of her beloved husband as the monarch made her first major official engagement outside of a royal residence for nearly six months.
Much has changed since the monarch opened the Welsh Senedd in the autumn, using a stick but walking fairly briskly from her car.
At the memorial service for the Duke of Edinburgh yesterday, the Queen, now just three weeks from her 96th birthday, moved gingerly, holding on to the Duke of York's arm for supportandmakinggreateruseof her stick.
The mother and son walked at a slow but steady pace, both looking ahead, and at the end of the aisle they separated with the Queen giving a smile to her controversial offspring - and Andrew giving a last glance to his mother as she turned right.
As the service began, the Prince of Wales leaned over to the Queen and spoke to her briefly. With the Queen surrounded by her family, the service - packed with hundreds of people - stood in stark contrast to Philip's pared back funeral in the age of a pandemic when the monarch sat alone in a mask in mourning.
During the first song - He Who Would Valiant Be - the Queen delved into her black Launer handbag for her glasses, rooting around in several sections before finally locat
ing them. Despite her mobility issues, the nation's longest reigning head of state - who has openly admitted having difficulty moving - stood throughout each hymn.
She was sombre in thought as she listened intently to the Dean of Windsor's touching tribute to "remarkable" Philip, as he hailed his sense of humour and "great sympathy and kindness", and acknowledged his tendency to be abrupt and forget "just how intimidating he could be".
During the final hymn Bread Of Heaven, as requested by Philip as a congregational song for his funeral but forbidden due to Covid - the monarch packed away her glasses in her bag ready to depart.
She appeared moved, blinking several times, as the abbey mightily joined in singing the national anthem in her honour.