LONDON (AP) – Queen Elizabeth II has returned to royal duties four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, as preparations for her weekend funeral ceremony intensified.
The 94-year-old British monarch attended a ceremony on Tuesday to remove a senior royal official, according to the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements.
The royal family observes two weeks of mourning for Philip, who died on Friday at the age of 99. The palace has said family members “will make commitments appropriate to the circumstances” during the mourning period.
The family also posted previously unseen photos while sharing memories of Philip. A photo shows the queen and Philip surrounded by seven of their grandchildren at a family reunion in 2018. The image, which shows the queen holding a baby Prince Louis on her lap, is a rare image of the monarch holding one of his greats – net.
The Queen attended a ceremony at Windsor Castle by Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel, who has retired as the highest official of the royal house. He oversaw the arrangements for the funeral of Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, until he handed it over to his successor 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 an enthusiastic sailor.
His funeral will be held Saturday at Windsor Castle, with attendance limited to 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 take part in the funeral procession and Philip’s coffin will be taken to St George’s Chapel. to the castle in a specially adapted Land Rover, which he designed himself.
Military personnel rehearsed Wednesday at the event at the Pirbright Army Training Center near London. One of the four Royal Marines buglers who will play “The Last Post” in the service said it was an “honor and a privilege” to play the role.
“It’s incredibly important. We feel nervous, “said Sgt. Clarinet Jamie Ritchie.” We feel the pressure, but we channel it and use it and we will deliver exceptional performance. “
Since Philip’s death, his four children have paid tribute to him, as have his grandchildren Prince William and Prince Harry.
Another grandson, Eugenie, shared memories on Instagram of “learning to cook, to paint, to read” with her “beloved grandfather.”
“I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the Navy,” wrote Eugenie, who is the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York. “I remember that I incinerated the sausages and that you threw yourself to save the day. I remember your hands, your laughter and your favorite beer.
“I will remind you of your children, your grandchildren and your grandchildren,” he wrote. “Thank you for your dedication and love for all of us and especially for Grandma, whom we will care for.”