Prince Philip passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021 at the age of 99. Since then, Queen Elizabeth has had to face her life alone. And she does, against all odds.
“It is with deep sadness that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle this morning.” With these words, Queen Elizabeth, 95, announced the death of Prince Philip at noon on April 9, 2021. A message that plunged not only the kingdom, but the whole world into deep sadness.
Queen Elizabeth draws strength from her grief
A week later, the Royal Family bid farewell to the Prince Consort during a small and intimate funeral service at George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Because of the corona restrictions in force at the time, only a few family members were able to attend, and representatives of various other royal families were also unable to come to England.
Although there was no big funeral service at the time, the pictures of the burial went around the world like wildfire. Above all, the recordings of Queen Elizabeth, while she was sitting in the church cut off from her family members and without a direct seat neighbor, hardly left a dry eye.
Queen Elizabeth at Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17, 2021.
© Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool / Getty Images
But the queen did not sink into her grief. On the contrary. Just a few days after the funeral, the Queen received several guests via video call, including the ambassadors of Latvia and Ivory Coast. She made her first appointment outside of Windsor Castle on May 11, 2021 at the British State Opening of Parliament.
Prince Philip ‘would have wanted her to live life to the fullest’
And even after that, the monarch did not withdraw, she was present and in a good mood. Above all, the relaxation of the corona restrictions that began in the summer did her good, and Queen Elizabeth was a welcome guest at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in early July. Speaking to the DailyMail, Royal writer Phil Dampier revealed that while the Queen was “devastated” by the death of Prince Philip, she was determined to continue fulfilling her public duties. “I’m sure Prince Philip told her to enjoy what’s left of her own life,” Dampier said. “He wouldn’t have wanted her to mourn for him like Queen Victoria did for Albert and I bet he would have wanted her to live her life to the fullest.”
Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on July 2, 2021.
© Max Mumby / Getty Images
turmoil in the family
And she does. Even if life sometimes gets in the way. In addition to health problems – among other things, the queen had to spend a night in the hospital in October and fell ill with the corona virus in February – the turbulence in her family is not diminishing. After a number of revelations and ever new allegations against the Royal Family of the Sussex family, Prince Harry, 37, is currently suing the British government. The reason: Harry does not feel safe when visiting his homeland and demands that he and his family have police protection in the UK. So far, no agreement is in sight.
But not only Harry and Meghan make negative headlines, especially the Queen’s former favorite son, Prince Andrew, 62, triggered a wave of horror with allegations of abuse by Virgina Giuffre, 38. Although Andrew was able to agree on an out-of-court financial settlement with his plaintiff at the last moment, his image suffers irreparable damage. It doesn’t help that his mother still stands by him and even had him escort her to Prince Philip’s memorial service on March 29, 2022.
But Queen Elizabeth does what she thinks is right. Since she no longer has Prince Philip and thus her most faithful companion at her side, she has to listen even more deeply to herself when it comes to important decisions. And she does. It doesn’t matter whether their heirs to the throne – Prince Charles, 73, and Prince William, 39 – agree or not.
Looking forward to the platinum anniversary
Since the death of her beloved husband, the monarch has carried the anticipation of her platinum jubilee above all – never before has a British monarch been in office for so long. On February 6, 2022, the Queen celebrated her 70th jubilee, the big celebrations are planned from June 2nd to 5th. The long weekend begins with the well-known military parade “Trooping the Colour”, which had to be canceled in the last two years due to the corona pandemic. A church service, a horse race and a large live concert in Buckingham Palace are planned for the following days.
She has to celebrate her 74th wedding anniversary without Prince Philip (†).
38 images
A weekend that Queen Elizabeth would probably have loved to experience at her husband’s side. But the queen won’t let the fun take her away. She announced this in her Christmas speech on December 25, 2021. “For me and my family, while this year lacks a familiar laugh, Christmas will be a joy as we have the opportunity to reminisce,” said the monarch, stressing that Philip wished his family could celebrate Christmas enjoy. With the same feeling, she will celebrate her platinum anniversary in June.