After some health concerns and considerations, Queen Elizabeth did attend Prince Phillips’s memorial at Westminster Abbey. Notable emotionally, the monarch remembered her loving husband who died last April at the age of 99.
Today’s service was very different from the one held in 2021 with just a handful of family members, including Prince Harry. On this occasion, the hymns selected by the late Duke of Edinburgh could be sung and members of other royal houses like Spain, Denmark, and Norway traveled to pay their respects.
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Photo: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
An emotional Queen
With today’s service, the Queen could somehow palliate the painful funeral with which she had to say goodbye to her husband last year, where her images of sitting alone due to social restrictions went around the world.
This time it was possible to sing the hymns chosen by Phillip during his lifetime, which could not be heard at last year’s funeral due to covid rules.
Today it was possible to see at times a grieving and very moved monarch, although she seemed at all times to be in control of the situation.
Monarchies who paid their respects
More than 30 members of European monarchies also attended the Queen’s invitation, among them the King of Spain, Felipe, and Queen Letizia; King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands; Queen Mathilde and King Phillippe of Belgium; Queen Margarethe of Denmark and Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
Photo: King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands.
Behind members of the Royal Family, British politicians such as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, Finance Minister, Rishi Sunak, and Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, also attended.
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Photo: Queen Mathilde and King Phillippe of Belgium.
In his message, the Dean of Windsor, David Conner, recalled that Prince Philip was part of an “imperfect humanity”, but that at times he felt “hurt” when he considered that he was “unfairly criticized or misunderstood”.
He also emphasized the “loyalty” he always showed to his wife and the importance of his charity work, which had a special impact on young people.
Photo: King of Spain, Felipe, and Queen Letizia.
No Harry but support for Andrew
It is well known that Prince Harry couldn’t be at the memorial because the English government hasn’t let him pay for his own security and the decision is still on trial. However, Prince Andrew did make an appearance next to his mother, despite the controversy over the sexual abuse lawsuit case and his ties with the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Therefore, the surprise to see the sovereign, 95, enter supported by her son Prince Andrew, caused some of the presents to whisper in the temple.
According to the program, Andrew should have entered accompanied by his daughter, Princess Beatrice, before the heir to the Crown, Prince Charles, and the second in line, Prince William.
