As fans of the Royal family know, the late Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, was laid to rest this past weekend after passing away at age 99 earlier this month.
While fans around the world watched HRH Queen Elizabeth say goodbye to her husband of 73 years, many may have missed the emotional tribute she left at her husband’s final resting place.
Tragedy struck the Royal Family earlier this month when it was announced Prince Philip had passed away.
The Royal Family announced the news on social media.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the family’s statement read.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
The statement concluded: “The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
Hearts broke around the world for the family, and for HRH The Queen, who had been married to Prince Philip since 1947.
The Royal Family also shared an emotional quote said by The Queen back in 1997.
“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,” they shared .
Phillip was the longest-serving consort in British history, having gained the title in 1952.
As fans may remember, the Prince had stopped attending public engagements in 2017 at the age of 96.
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Last week, there was drama surrounding the procession order for Prince Philip’s funeral.
People reported that Prince Harry and Prince William would not walk side-by-side behind their grandfather’s coffin.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that their cousin, Peter Phillips (the son of Princess Anne), was set to walk between them.
For the second procession into the chapel, Prince William walked with Peter. Behind them was Prince Harry and David Armstrong-Jones, the son of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones.
In an effort to get ahead of the rumours, a Buckingham Palace rep said the procession order was “a practical change rather than sending a signal.”
“This is a funeral and we are not going to be drawn into perceptions of drama. The arrangements have been agreed and represent Her Majesty’s wishes,” the statement read .
Despite the backlash, many fans were quick to point out that the brothers did not walk side-by-side at their mother’s funeral either.
However, it seemed the heaviness o the day outweighed the petty drama that was being stirred up by angry fans.
Prior to the service, it was reported that Prince Philip had a large part in planning his funeral.
However, Queen Elizabeth had her own special way of paying tribute to her late husband.
Viewers of the funeral service observed that Prince Phillip’s coffin was covered in his Personal Standard that represented both his Greek heritage and British titles.
His lord high admiral Naval cap and Royal Navy officer’s sword was also placed on top, in addition to a beautiful arrangement of flowers.
However, a small detail that might have been missed by viewers was a note The Queen attached to the flowers on her husband’s coffin.
The palace wouldn’t confirm what the note appeared to say, but she signed it with Prince Philip’s nickname for her, “Lilibet.”
People reports that Prince Philip is believed to be the last person to call The Queen by her childhood nickname.
The rest of the personal note was hidden from eagle-eyed fans.
The pair were no strangers to writing love love letters throughout their relationship.
The two began by writing notes to one another during their courtship.
One of Prince Philip’s most notorious love letters was penned in 1946. In the letter, he explains that falling in love with the future Queen had made all his problems disappear.
He wrote:
“To have been spared in the war and seen victory, to have been given the chance to rest and to re-adjust myself, to have fallen in love completely and unreservedly, makes all one’s personal and even the world’s troubles seem small and petty.”
Keeping with COVID-19 protocols, only 30 attendees were allowed at the funeral.
This meant that Queen Elizabeth had to sit by herself to follow the household bubble rule, resulting in some heartbreaking photographs.
Fans expressed their condolences for the Queen on social media.
There is no denying this is a significant loss for HRH, who had been married to Prince Philip for as long as she has been Queen.
