The queen sat alone in St. George’s Chapel today, while Covid regulations forced her to be separated from her family and wear a mask.
The 94-year-old monarch cut a figure of silent dignity as he watched as her beloved 73-year-old husband rested.
Following strict rules of social distancing during the pandemic, the queen set an example even in grief, standing apart from family members arranged around the church. Other royal family bubbles sat together.
The monarch had arrived at the Royal Bentley service with her waiting lady Lady Susan Hussey, 81, the widow of former BBC President Marmaduke Hussey.
This is her connection to the royal family, so that Lady Susan is one of the godfathers of the Duke of Cambridge and also attended his confirmation in 1997.
In the last year, he joined the Queen and Philip in HMS Bubble as one of the 20 employees who cared for the royal couple locked up at Windsor Castle.
Queen Elizabeth had to stay alone in St. George’s Chapel for her husband’s funeral service due to coronavirus restrictions
Her Majesty stands alone, with her head bowed, in the chapel while her husband’s coffin was taken to church to be laid to rest.
Then he looked at the church doors as the coffin was carried by the soldiers on their last journey.
The 94-year-old monarch cut a silent figure of dignity as he watched as her beloved 73-year-old husband rested.
Her Majesty, with tears in her eyes, looks after a moment of quiet reflection next to her husband’s coffin
The queen wipes a tear from her eyes as she arrives behind her husband’s coffin as Prince Philip’s funeral begins this afternoon.
The monarch had arrived at the Bentley service with her waiting lady Lady Susan Hussey, 81, the widow of former BBC President Marmaduke Hussey.
The masked queen, dressed in a mask and dressed in black, is led to her place in the chapel where she sat alone.
Remaining nearby, in case the queen should need her, Lady Susan was not seated with Windsor in Quire, nor in the Ships, but elsewhere in the chapel.
Today, she accompanied the queen to Bentley State as she left the castle to join the rear of the procession carrying Philip’s coffin to St. George’s Chapel.
Although she entered the chapel, Lady Susan was there as a member of the household and not one of the 30 guests.
Staying nearby, in case the queen should need her, Lady Susan was not seated with Windsor in Quire or in the Ships, but elsewhere in the chapel.
The waiting ladies are unknown members of the queen’s household and are personally elected by the monarch.
They have a variety of duties, including assisting with personal and personal matters for the queen and managing her correspondence.
He also helps the queen with her official engagements, from handing over her money to passing the bouquets of flowers presented to her.
In 2001, Lady Susan gave the Queen a pound to buy The Big Issue from a magazine seller while on an official trip to Brighton.
She was also present at unique moments in history – such as on the Spirit of Chartwell barge with the queen and other members of the royal family for the 2012 Diamond Jubilee River Thames.
This is the funeral procession for tomorrow’s funeral, where William and Harry will not be sitting next to each other, with the queen following behind her car.
Lady Hussey is the fifth and youngest daughter of Geoffrey Waldegrave, 12th Earl Waldegrave and Mary Hermione, Countess Waldegrave, and was married to the late BBC President Marmaduke Hussey.
The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex, who have a troubled relationship, did not go hand in hand with their cousin Peter Phillips.
The procession of the Royal Family was led by Prince Charles and Princess Anne, who were moved by the coffin.
Prince Philip’s coffin came out of Windsor Castle as the royal family joined the mourning queen for her husband at her funeral.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin was covered by his personal standard and he wore his sword, navy cap, and a wreath as the masked men lowered him into his extraordinary Land Rover coach.
Waiting ladies often serve the queen for more than 50 years and act as both friends and loyal nurses, and their discretion and support will be invaluable as the queen mourns.
The late Marmaduke Hussey, who died in 2006, was the president of the BBC when Princess Diana of Wales gave him a 1995 Panorama interview, but according to tradition, he was not given a preview.
“Duke” Hussey has been an executive in the newspaper industry for decades, holding the prestigious BBC position when he retired from News International.
Lady Susan is also the sister of former Conservative Minister William Waldegrave.
The queen’s waiting ladies, personally chosen by the monarch, have a variety of duties, including assisting with private and personal matters for the queen and managing her correspondence.
They were part of HMS Bubble – the name given to the small selection of about 20 employees who assist Queen at Windsor during the blockade.
Some of the waitresses have been with the queen for more than 50 years and act as both friends and loyal assistants, and their discretion and support will be invaluable.
Army members go before the funeral service at the home of Prince Philip Windsor
The detachments of service personnel from the duke’s military units had a special relationship assembled on the green of the castle’s quadrangle – while lining its edge are troops from the household cavalry and the foot guard.
The Foot Guards Band is seen marching before the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle