By Ben Kerrigan-
The Queen joined her family at a special memorial service for the Duke of Edinburgh, to honour the death of her husband, described by many as a remarkable man.
The monarch, 95, has rallied to make an appearance and lead her family at the high-profile and personally significant occasion in honour of husband Philip.
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Her final decision on Tuesday morning, hours before travelling from Windsor Castle to central London accompanied by Prince Andrew, was the first since it was reported she had health issues back in October.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who was by his wife’s side for more over seven decades, passed away at Windsor Castle in April, just two months shy of his 100th birthday.
Prince Phillip was highly revered, and had lived the full life span.
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The Duke of Edinburgh had cheated death in a 2019 car crash while driving near the Queen’s Sandringham estate, in which his Land Rover flipped over in the accident.
Prince Philip, 97, was not injured in the accident, which happened as he drove a Land Rover out of a driveway onto the A149 shortly before 15:00 GMT.
Her added decision to be accompanied by her son, Andrew, who paid a £12k settlement to Guiffre after being stripped of his military titles and royal patronages, including the use of a His Royal Highness title, was an expression of the old adage ‘you can choose your friends, but not your family’.
Whatever the shame and embarrassment that accompanied the widely publicized allegations against Andrew, the Queen is still happy to have her eldest son a free man who could accompany her on this very important memorial day. No case was ever proven against him in a court of law, he denied all the allegations, and settled the claim, to make it old news on a day like today.
Other royals attending, included the Duchess of Cambridge, 40, the Countess of Wessex and Zara Tindall.
The Queen was visibly tearful as the 1,800-strong congregation sang Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer before the bells of Westminster Abbey rang out to mark the end of the memorial service for the Duke of Edinburgh in the London church where she was crowned just over 70 years ago.
The Queen also appeared to be holding tightly to her stick in her painstaking effort to get to the vehicle, concentrating very hard in taking each step. Once inside the car she appeared to be back to her normal composed self as the car slowly drove away. She waved to onlookers as she arrived and left the service.
According to the royal family’s website: ‘The Duke of Edinburgh’s official livery colour is dark green, known as ‘Edinburgh Green’.
‘It has been used for staff liveries – the Duke of Edinburgh’s page at the Coronation wore dark green and silver – and private cars.’
Meanwhile other royals attending, including the Duchess of Cambridge, 40, the Countess of Wessex and Zara Tindall, opted for navy tones for the event.
The Queen appeared to be holding tightly to her stick in her painstaking effort to get to the vehicle, concentrating very hard in taking each step. Once inside the car she appeared to be back to her normal composed self as the car slowly drove away. She waved to onlookers as she arrived and left the service.
The Queen and the packed abbey had listened as the Dean of Windsor paid tribute to Philip’s intellect, work ethic, sense of humour and devotion to his family.
The Right Reverend David Conner described the duke as a ‘remarkable man’ who was committed to ‘a host of down-to-earth enterprises’. He pointed out that the duke could be ‘abrupt’, and suggested that at times he could forget ‘just how intimidating he could be’.
As a celebration of life, royals were not expected to wear traditional black formal wear for the event. A palace spokesman said: “The Queen is currently intending to attend the service this morning.”
Andrew walks with his mother to her seat, after just releasing her from his arm
The duke’s relatives, friends, colleagues and representatives of his charities and patronages gathered to pay tribute to the man whose funeral last April was hit by the pandemic, and attended by only 30 of his loved ones.
The service limited to 40 minutes and the monarch sitting in one of the Canada chairs but with an additional cushion. The difficulty for the Queen was understood to be whether she would be able to walk to her seat.
In October, when she attended the Royal British Legion centenary service using a walking stick, the Queen arrived at Poets’ Yard, entering via Poets’ Corner.
Tuesday’s service was the Queen’s first major official engagement outside one of her homes for five and a half months, since she travelled to Cardiff to deliver a speech at the Welsh Senedd on 14 October.
The 95-year-old monarch used a stick as she was walked to her seat by her son the Duke of York to give her ‘strength and stay’ Philip the final farewell he had wanted.
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