LONDON (AP) – Queen Elizabeth II has returned to royal duties, four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, as ceremonial funerals were being prepared over the weekend.
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 members of the royal family “will make commitments appropriate to the circumstances” during the mourning period.
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 Prince Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, until handing 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.
Philip’s funeral will take place on Saturday at Windsor Castle, with attendance limited to 30 due to coronavirus restrictions.
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 the castle’s St George’s Chapel in a specially adapted Land Rover, which he himself designed.
Since Philip’s death, his four children have paid tribute to him, as have his grandchildren Prince William and Prince Harry.
Another grandson, Princess Eugenia, paid tribute to her “beloved grandfather” in an Instagram post on Wednesday. The youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, shared memories with her grandfather of “learning to cook, to paint, to read.”
“I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the Navy,” Eugenie wrote. “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.
“Thank you for your dedication and love for all of us and especially for Grandma, whom we will care for.”