Queen Elizabeth II is mourning the loss of her husband Prince Philip, who sadly passed away at the age of 99. The reigning British monarch, 94, who is normally stoic and composed, was spotted dabbing tears from her eyes as she arrived alone at Philip’s funeral on April 17. The Queen, who was married for more than seven decades, was joined by her closest family members as they bid her husband a final farewell. Sadly, she had to sit alone in the chapel amid social distancing restrictions, and looked somber in a black outfit with a brooch, and a matching black hat.
The Queen wipes away a tear as she says goodbye to her husband of 73 years #PrincePhilipFuneral pic.twitter.com/nX0WDJyNXe
— Charlie Proctor (@MonarchyUK) April 17, 2021
Other attendees included Prince Harry and Prince William, along with their father, Prince Charles. The guest list was limited to 30 people under U.K. government guidelines due to COVID, so most attendees were immediate family members, including his children, and grandchildren. His death comes after a long battle with health problems, including an unspecified heart condition which recently led to him being hospitalized for over two weeks. Queen Elizabeth announced her husband’s death in a statement through Buckingham Palace.
“It is with deep sorrow that her Majesty the Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the statement read.
She sits alone at the funeral of her husband of 73 years. A very emotional moment. #PrincePhilipfuneral pic.twitter.com/wnsO1O0EnY
— VindhyaWij (@VindsyWij77) April 17, 2021
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Palace. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family will join people around the world in mourning his loss.”
Elizabeth and Philip, who are arguably one of the most famous couples of all time, first met in 1934. At the time, Elizabeth was just a child and Philip was a young teen. “Well, we’d met at Dartmouth, and as far as I was concerned it was a very amusing experience, going on board the yacht and meeting them, and that sort of thing, and that was that,” Prince Philip told biographer Basil Boothroyd, per Devon Live.
In July 1947, the young couple announced their engagement, and they were married on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey. It was a monumental occasion, and dignitaries from around the world attended the wedding, which was a happy occasion amid the post World War ll era. The pair went on to have four children, and share a union that withstood more than seven decades of tragedy and triumph. In November 2020, they celebrated 73 years of marriage, and one of history’s most enduring love stories.