Prince Philip’s death has "left a huge void" in the Queen’s life, said the monarch’s second son Prince Andrew. Commenting on his father’s death, the Duke of York said that Britain has lost the grandfather of the nation and that the Royal Family was feeling a great sense of loss following the royal’s passing.
Prince Andrew made the statement as he and other members of the family were attending a church service at the Royal Chapel of all Saints in Windsor.
After attending morning service at The Royal Chapel of All Saints, The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Lady Louise met Windsor Estate workers to thank them for their support, particularly over the last few days. pic.twitter.com/uSUVQN2Jbo
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 11, 2021
Earlier today, the Queen’s first son, Prince Charles spoke to reporters and thanked members of the public for their support in this difficult time for the family.
"He would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him. From that point of view we are, my family, deeply grateful for all that. It will sustain us in this particular loss and at this particularly sad time", Prince Charles said.
On Saturday the Royal Family’s account on Twitter shared a photo of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with a quote of her speech she made on the golden anniversary of their wedding in 1997. The two were married for 73 years.
“He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 10, 2021
-Her Majesty The Queen, 1997. pic.twitter.com/wbSldSavNA
Tributes From World Leaders and Details of the Upcoming Funeral
Heartfelt tributes continue pouring in from across the globe for the Duke of Edinburgh, who has been praised for his remarkable service to Britain, the Commonwealth, and the Queen. Over his career he is said to have fulfilled more than 22,000 royal engagements.
French President Emmanuel Macron called Prince Philip’s life "exemplary" and said it was "defined by bravery, a sense of duty, and commitment to the youth and the environment". Chancellor Angela Merkel said the royal’s straightforward nature and "his sense of duty will remain unforgotten".
US President Joe Biden called the royal "a heck of a guy" and praised his bravery during the Second World War. "99-years old, he never slowed down at all, which I admire the devil of", President Biden said.
Hundreds of people lined up on Tower Bridge during gun salutes that were fired on 10 April to mark the royal’s death.
To mark the death of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, at 12pm BST today a gun salute began firing from the Tower of London.
— The Tower of London (@TowerOfLondon) April 10, 2021
In total 41 rounds are being fired, with 1 round every minute, in unison with other saluting batteries across the UK. pic.twitter.com/0j3lmRwQ8u
Although the public has been encouraged not to lay bouquets of flowers at Windsor Castle, and instead make a donation to charitable organisations, people continue bringing flowers.
“The poor Queen all on her own in there”... overheard at the gates of Windsor Castle. Lots of families here today taking photos, laying flowers and paying their respects to #PrincePhillip pic.twitter.com/DjtAmhZmyH
— Rebecca Barry (@BeccaBarry) April 11, 2021
The funeral will be held on 17 April at St George's Chapel, Windsor and due to coronavirus restrictions will only be attended by members of the Royal Family. Upon Prince Philip’s wishes, there will be no state funeral and no lying-in-state ceremony, where members of the public would have been able to pay their respects.
The ceremony will begin with a national minute’s silence at three o’clock (local time). Members of the family will walk behind the coffin, which will be transported in a specially-modified car the Duke of Edinburgh himself designed. The Queen will travel to the chapel separately.
The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to hospital on 16 February as a precautionary measure. Reports say he travelled to King Edward VII Hospital in London by car and walked into the facility unaided. Later, the Royal Family said he was treated for an infection. During this time it was reported that the royal summoned his son to discuss the future of the British monarchy. Several weeks later he was transferred to another hospital in London where he underwent a heart procedure. He was discharged on 16 March.
