LONDON (AP) – The death of Prince Philip has left a “huge void” in the life of Queen Elizabeth II, her son Prince Andrew said on Sunday as welcomes continued to leave floral tributes outside the doors of the royal residences in memory of the husband.
Andrew, the couple’s third of four children, attended Windsor Royal Chapel Church with other members of the royal family, two days after the death of 99-year-old Philip at the castle. of Windsor.
Andrew said his mother “described that he had left a huge void in his life.”
“We have almost lost the nation’s grandfather,” he said. “And I feel very serious and supportive of my mother, who probably feels it more than anyone.”
His younger brother, Prince Edward, called Philip’s death a “terrible shock”, but said the 94-year-old queen was “enduring”. Edward’s wife, Sophie, said the monarch “thought of others before herself.”
Both the palace and government officials urged people not to come in person to pay their respects due to coronavirus restrictions on social mixing. But on Sunday hundreds of people brought notes, cards and flowers to the gates of Windsor Castle, 32 miles west of London, while others paid tribute in front of Buckingham Palace in the British capital.
Neil Loughton, founder of the Penny Farthing Club, rode his old bicycle to the palace gates to pay his respects.
“I think there are some things that are just important and need to be done. Ninety-nine years of life and more than 70 years of service deserve some recognition, ”he said.
Philip’s funeral will be held on April 17 at Windsor Castle. Only 30 people will be able to attend under the current coronavirus restrictions in England, but the reduced service is scheduled to be broadcast live on television.
Philip’s grandson, Prince Harry, who retired from royal duties last year and now lives in California, will attend the service along with other members of the royal family, palace officials have reported. His wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is pregnant and has been advised by her doctor not to make the trip.
Members of the royal family said they appreciated Philip’s outpouring of tributes and good wishes throughout Britain and around the world, which was the queen’s consort and support for more than seven decades of marriage. .
Prince Edward, 57, said the “extraordinary” tributes meant a lot to the royal family.
“It just proves that he could be our father, grandfather, father-in-law, but it meant a lot to so many other people,” he said.
Andrew, 61, who has largely remained out of public view since 2019 amid controversy over his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, convicted in the end, also praised the “absolutely amazing tributes.”