Queen Elizabeth II bade farewell to her prince Philip at his funeral at Windsor Castle on Saturday, alone in the pew, but joined the grief of the royal family and millions of people around the globe.
For seven decades, she was the ruler of her realms, but Elizabeth – who seemed to shed a tear before the service – seemed tight as a child under the ecological stones of St. George’s Chapel, lowering her head to mourn her 73-year-old beloved consort. . , as could widows of any rank and fortune.
Only 30 Jelists dressed in black were allowed to enter the medieval chapel on the grounds of the 950-year-old castle for their last farewell and the burial of the Safe Kingdom of Philip, who died on April 9 at the age of 99.
The 94-year-old queen lived alone due to strict restrictions on social distance, but near her four children – Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward – were placed in groups with their own children.
Charles, 72, the future king, fought back tears as he led the procession of his father’s coffin from the castle to the church.
He and his wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles, blinked again during the discreet service, which began at 3 pm after a minute of silence observed in Britain.
“We were inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our queen, his service to the nation and the Commonwealth, his courage, strength and faith,” Windsor Dean David Conner said in his prayer call.
Perhaps the greatest mystery of the intimate ceremony – there would be frost or tenderness between Charles’ two feudal sons, Prince William, a possible king, and his brother who renounces royalty, Prince Harry – unfolded with quiet dignity.
William, 38, and Harry, 36, had gone to church separated from their cousin, Peter Phillips, and sat separately throughout the 50-minute service.
But the brothers – who have not been seen in public since last year’s Megxit break-up – talked kindly afterwards as they walked out of the chapel with William’s wife, Kate Middleton.
The future queen consort, aged 39, paid a silent tribute with her jewelry, wearing diamond earrings borrowed from the queen, which were given to Elizabeth by Philip for their 1947 wedding.
Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, who is seven months pregnant with her second child, a girl, stayed at home in Los Angeles.
Markle watched the funeral like everyone else – on TV – though he sent a wreath and a handwritten book to the chapel.
“I know it’s not about them on Saturday – it’s about honoring their grandfather’s memory and supporting their grandmother,” a royal source told The Daily Telegraph earlier.
Philip – the longest-lived consort in British history – was a tireless supporter of the monarchy, a popular participant in tens of thousands of public engagements.
On any other day, the church would have been filled, and the procession of his coffin would have been crowded with spectators.
On Saturday, a modest group of several hundred lined the streets near the castle, some wearing face masks resembling him.
Despite the small list of participants, the royal observers analyzed every step, look and flash of jewelry on their televisions, from the moment Philip’s coffin was transported from the palace by eight lackeys.
Throughout their marriage, Philip followed her behind the queen, according to royal protocol. But the queen followed Bentley’s funeral procession on Saturday – and inside the car she appeared to clap her eyes with black gloves.
She stood behind her husband’s body and marches, rather than in front of them, where a monarch would normally be, as if letting him lead her, for a change and their last procession together.
Philip, who had been recognized for bravery in World War II, was a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy, and his coffin was adorned with his hat and sword.
The truck had been personally chosen by Philip, a military-green, electric Land Rover, which he had designed himself.
“Just get me behind a Land Rover,” he had told her with Elizabeth, who was honoring his wish.