Philip’s death has left ‘huge void’
The death of Prince Philip has left a “huge void” in Queen Elizabeth II’s life, their son Prince Andrew said Sunday, as well-wishers continued to leave floral tributes outside the gates of royal residences in memory of the monarch’s husband.
Andrew, the third of the couple’s four children, attended church at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor along with other members of the Royal Family, two days after the 99year-old Philip died at Windsor Castle.
Andrew said his mother “described it as having left a huge void in her life.”
“We’ve lost, almost, the grandfather of the nation,” he said. “And I feel very sorry and supportive of my mother, who’s feeling it probably more than everybody else.”
His younger brother, Prince Edward, called Philip’s death a “dreadful shock” but said the 94-year-old queen was “bearing up.”
Edward’s wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex said the monarch was “thinking of others before herself,” adding Philip’s death at Windsor Castle, which came three weeks after he was discharged from a month-long hospital stay, was “peaceful.”
“It was right for him and it was so gentle. It was just like someone took him by the hand and off he went,” Sophie told wellwishers. “It was very, very peaceful and that’s all you want for somebody, isn’t it?”
Philip’s funeral is set to take place April17 at Windsor Castle. Only 30 people will be able to attend under the current coronavirus restrictions in England, but the slimmed-down service will be broadcast on television.
Philip’s grandson Prince Harry, who stepped away from royal duties last year and now lives in California, will attend the service along with other members of the Royal Family, palace officials have said.