The monarch placed a very
special wreath on top of the Duke’s coffin for his funeral on 17
April, and it carried a special note which appeared to read: “In
loving memory, Elizabeth.”
The card was handwritten and
edged in black, which follows the mourning rituals of the royal
family. The wreath featured white lilies, small white roses, white
freesias, white wax flowers, white sweet peas and jasmine.
The Duke of Edinburgh passed
away at age 99 on 9 April. The Queen and Philip were married for 73 years. He
was laid to rest in a private service attended by only 30 guests at St George’s
Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
 |
The Queen left a final message for her late husband
The Duke’s coffin was draped
with his personal standard and his Admiral of the Fleet Naval cap and sword
were placed on top.
The Duke’s standard features
tributes to Philip’s heritage with the Danish coat of arms, the Greek cross,
Edinburgh Castle and the stripes of the Mountbatten family.
Ahead of the intimate funeral
service, the Queen and Philip’s four children all took part in the solemn
procession, alongside Princes William and Harry, Peter Phillips, Vice-Admiral
Sir Tim Laurence, and the Earl of Snowdon.
 |
The Queen sat by herself during the service
Philip’s loved ones were
emotional as they attended the socially distanced service. Cutting a
solitary figure at the front of the quire, nearest the altar, the Queen sat
apart from her children.
 |
Charles walked in the procession behind his father’s coffin
Sophie has been described as a
great source of comfort to the monarch, visiting the Queen at Windsor in
the days following Philip’s death. She was pictured in the service with her
face mask pulled down around her chin and looked to be wiping her nose with a
tissue.
 |
Sophie was seen in tears
The service itself was
conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Dean of Windsor
David Conner.
