The photo of the Queen sitting alone in St George’s Chapel as she said a final farewell to her husband is one of the most memorable photos from the latter years of her life.
As was his wish, Prince Philip’s funeral was a ‘minimal fuss’ ceremony. He didn’t want an eulogy or an elaborate state funeral; ‘He doesn’t see himself as important enough for that,’ an aide once said of the Duke of Edinburgh.
The funeral – Operation Forth Bridge – was scaled back even further due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with just 30 mourners, primarily family members, in attendance.
Biographer Tom Bower paints a solemn picture of the days surrounding the funeral in April 2021 in his book, Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors.
He wrote: ‘The mood in London was sombre. Daily, the media extolled Philip’s remarkable life and devotion to the country.
‘The Duke had planned a simple funeral at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. The rehearsals displayed faultless military drill.
‘Few would not be touched by the perfection of British ceremonial tradition. The weather was forecast to be perfect.
‘The only uncertainty was the relationship between Harry and his family.’
The photo of the Queen sitting alone in St George’s Chapel as she said a final farewell to her husband is one of the most memorable photos from the latter years of her life
Prince William, Peter Phillips, Prince Harry and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence are pictured during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on April 17, 2021 in Windsor
Meghan Markle (pictured with the Queen in 2018) cited her seven-month pregnancy as the reason for not attending Prince Philip’s funeral
Philip’s death on April 9 came just a month after the Sussexes’ explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which the couple made racism accusations against an unknown member of the Royal Family.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral was planned for April 17 and Bower wrote: ‘Neither the Palace nor the media understood the Sussexes’ mindset when Harry arrived in London just before the service.
‘How would he cope with his father and brother? Meghan had cited her seven-month pregnancy as the reason for not travelling.
‘In Windsor Castle, the Queen was preparing to face the public on one of the saddest days of her life.
‘Philip had been her rock for the previous 70 years. To comply with Covid restrictions, she would grieve alone inside the chapel.’
She is reported to have said to her senior aides: ‘Thank goodness Meghan is not coming.’
‘There was no mistaking the Queen’s dislike for the disruptive actress,’ wrote Bower.
‘Harry’s presence remained a problem. As a private citizen stripped of his military titles, he could not dress in uniform.
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Biographer Tom Bower paints a solemn picture of the days surrounding the funeral in April 2021 in his book, Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors
The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral was planned for April 17 and Bower wrote: ‘Neither the Palace nor the media understood the Sussexes’ mindset when Harry arrived in London just before the service’
Strategically, Peter Phillips was placed in between the feuding brothers to act as a ‘diplomatic buffer’, wrote royal author Robert Lacey
‘To minimise the embarrassment for both Harry and Andrew, who was mired in allegations of sexual sleaze, all the male members of the Royal Family dressed in morning suits.
‘To avoid any problems with William, the brothers separated as they walked towards St George’s Chapel by their cousin Peter Phillips.’
Strategically, Peter was placed in between the feuding brothers to act as a ‘diplomatic buffer’, wrote royal author Robert Lacey.
It was the first time William and Harry appeared in public together in more than a year, and the brothers were seated opposite one another during the service.
Royal aides were said to have been ‘walking on eggshells’ as they tried to navigate the rift between the brothers following Harry and Meghan’s split from the Royal Family the year prior.
‘During the short procession, many watched whether Harry signalled any regret towards his family,’ Bower added.
But no one predicted that Harry was sitting on his Apple TV series that, as Bower wrote, would ‘confirm not only his disloyalty but his disregard for his family’s privacy’.
‘Transmission has been delayed until after the funeral. Once again, Harry had shafted the Windsors,’ wrote the biographer.
Royal aides were said to have been ‘walking on eggshells’ as they tried to navigate the rift between the brothers following Harry and Meghan’s split from the Royal Family the year prior
Immediately after Philip’s funeral, Charles exited the church and stripped his face mask away. He had clearly been crying
A Bearer Party of Royal Marines carry Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin (draped in his Royal Standard Flag and bearing his Royal Navy cap, sword and a bouquet of lilies, white roses, freesia and sweet peas) into St. George’s Chapel
It was the first time William and Harry appeared in public together in more than a year, and the brothers were seated opposite one another during the service
‘Looking at his family standing in St George’s Chapel, Harry knew that his damnation of them in the Apple TV series would widen the rift.’
Harry’s documentary series, The Me You Can’t See, which he co-created with Oprah Winfrey to discuss mental health, was released on May 21, 2021.
During an episode, he accused the Royal Family of ‘total neglect’ and of ‘bullying him into silence’.
He also said he was ‘worried and afraid’ to return for the funeral.
At her husband’s funeral, the Queen left a personal, handwritten message to Philip placed alongside a wreath of white lilies, small white roses and white freesia chosen by her.
Bower wrote: ‘Sitting alone and isolated, the 94-year-old monarch’s grief was concealed behind a black mask. Everyone was moved by her dignity.
‘William looked tense, Kate serene. Charles was visibly anguished. Only Harry’s expression defied accurate reporting.
‘Flapping his order of service against his thighs as he left the Chapel, he was clearly impatient.
As was his wish, Philip’s funeral was a ‘minimal fuss’ ceremony. He didn’t want an eulogy or an elaborate state funeral; ‘He doesn’t see himself as important enough for that,’ an aide once said of the Duke of Edinburgh
The Queen looks at the coffin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, during his funeral service at St George’s Chapel
‘During the short procession, many watched whether Harry signalled any regret towards his family,’ Bower added
‘Few would not be touched by the perfection of British ceremonial tradition. The weather was forecast to be perfect,’ wrote Bower
‘No one knew that Harry, the once adored young prince, had betrayed his whole family.’
Immediately after Philip’s funeral, Charles exited the church and stripped his face mask away. He had clearly been crying.
It was the first time Harry had mingled with relatives in person since the explosive Oprah interview.
‘Yes, it was great, wasn’t it?’ remarked William to Harry, as if they had not been ‘estranged’ for several months.
‘It was as he wanted,’ Harry apparently replied.
Royal observers noted what seemed to be a touching reunion between the brothers, with many noting how Catherine, then Duchess of Cambridge, expertly manoeuvred herself to allow the pair to talk alone.
Although their interaction looked perfectly friendly, Robert Lacey reported that William could see no point in talking to Harry beyond pleasantries ‘since any discussion of substance would go straight back to Meghan to be leaked out via Oprah, Gayle King or some other tentacle of the Sussex network’.
Immediately after the funeral, Queen Elizabeth returned to her apartment in Windsor Castle in silence.
Although their interaction looked perfectly friendly, Robert Lacey reported that William could see no point in talking to Harry beyond pleasantries
Bower wrote: ‘Sitting alone and isolated, the 94-year-old monarch’s grief was concealed behind a black mask. Everyone was moved by her dignity’
Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Sir Timothy Laurence and Prince Harry are pictured during the funeral of Prince Philip
‘I helped her off with her coat and hat and no words were spoken,’ senior dresser Angela Kelly told royal expert Gyles Brandreth.
‘The Queen then walked to her sitting room, closed the door behind her, and she was alone with her thoughts.’
Though her grief was private, in public the Queen was determined to carry on as normal. ‘Life goes on,’ she said. ‘It has to.’
The Queen shared one of her favourite photographs of herself with her husband of 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh, on the eve of his funeral.
The royal couple are pictured relaxing together away from public duties and enjoying the stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands in 2003.
This never-before-seen photo was also used as a design for Edward and Sophie’s annual Christmas card in memory of the Queen in 2022.
The image was taken by Sophie during a family summer holiday. A caption on the inside of the Christmas card reads: ‘In memory of happy days’.
Though her grief was private, in public the Queen was determined to carry on as normal. ‘Life goes on,’ she said. ‘It has to’
On the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021, Buckingham Palace released this picture of Philip and the Queen
Later in 2021, Peter Phillips- the Queen’s eldest grandchild – said not being able to hug her was one of the hardest parts of coping with the loss of the Duke of Edinburgh.
He said images of The Queen sitting alone at Philip’s funeral would be relatable for many families during the pandemic.
‘Everybody saw the image of Her Majesty sitting alone. It would have been the same for any other family, the hardest part is not being able to hug those closest to the person who’s been lost.
‘It’s the same for a lot of families. There have been some great sadnesses but at the same time you’ve got to try to take the positives out of these situations, whether that be new life, or happy memories, that’s what you’ve got to focus on,’ he added.
