LONDON (AP) – Queen Elizabeth II has returned to royal duties four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, as preparations intensify on Wednesday for her weekend funeral.
The 94-year-old British monarch attended a retirement ceremony for a senior royal official on Tuesday, according to the Court’s Circular, the official registration of royal commitments.
The royal family observes two weeks of mourning for Philip, who died on Friday at the age of 99. The palace said family members would “make commitments appropriate to the circumstances” during the mourning period.
The family also released previously unseen photos as they shared memories of Philip. A photo shows the queen and Philip surrounded by seven of their great-grandchildren at a family reunion in 2018. The image, which shows the queen holding a Prince Louis baby in her lap, is a rare image of the monarch holding one of his grandparents.
The Queen attended a ceremony at Windsor Castle for Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel, who retired as the highest official of the royal household. He oversaw the arrangements for the burial of Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, until the surrender of his successor a few days before the duke’s death.
Philip’s queen and daughter, Princess Anne, made a public appearance on Wednesday, visiting young sailors at the Royal Yacht Squadron sailing club on the Isle of Wight on the south coast of England. Prince Philip was a veteran of the Royal Navy and a keen sailor.
His funeral will be held Saturday at Windsor Castle, with a limited attendance of 30 due to coronavirus restrictions.
Although it is a reduced service due to the pandemic, hundreds of soldiers and women from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force will attend the funeral procession, and Philip’s coffin will be taken to St. John’s Chapel. George at the castle on a specially adapted Land Rover, which he designed himself.
Military personnel repeated the event on Wednesday at the Pirbright Army Training Center near London. One of the four Royal Marines clarinets who will play “Last Post” at the service said it was an “honor and privilege” to play the role.
“It simply came to our notice then. We feel nervous, “said the sergeant. Clarion Jamie Ritchie. “We feel the pressure, but we channel and use it and we will provide outstanding performance.”
Since Philip’s death, his four children have paid tribute to him, as have Prince William’s grandchildren and Prince Harry.
Another nephew, Eugenie, shared memories on Instagram about “learning to cook, paint, read” with “my dearest grandfather”.
“I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and services in the Navy,” wrote Eugenie, who is the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, the Duchess of York. “I remember incinerating the sausages and you threw yourself to save the day. I remember your hands, your laughter and your favorite beer. ”
“I will remember you in your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” she wrote. “Thank you for your dedication and love for all of us and especially for Grandma, who we will take care of for you.”