THE QUEEN will tomorrow have her first Valentine’s Day without her beloved husband Prince Philip by her side in 73 years.
The Queen and Prince Philip shared a vivacious romance spanning more than seven decades, and became the longest-married couple in British royal history.
Now royal experts have revealed how the Duke of Edinburgh treated her majesty to romantic – and useful – gifts throughout the years to keep the relationship alive.
Royal Biographer Phil Dampier told The Celeb Report: “Throughout the years he’s done so many touching things which the Queen will undoubtedly miss this year.
“He was always very good at doing some touching things for her.
“Some of the gifts that he gave her, he made himself.
“For example, he made her a makeup kit which she always kept in her handbag.
“A small metal make-up kit that she would use every day.
“He once made her a special kettle on a swivel stand for when they were abroad and it was much easier to use the kettle – she didn’t have to lift it when it was heavy and hot. Silly little things like that.”
Prince Philip was known for his artistic eye – and was a painter as well as a designer – which meant the Queen’s presents were nearly always tailor-made.
Mr Dampier continued: “He was always very thoughtful with his gifts which had a more personal touch as opposed to just buying something.
“In terms of jewelry and things like that she had access to the family jewels and all sorts of things – but once he gave her a bracelet with stones from his mother’s tiara as a present.
“He would always have a personal touch or family significance would be the kind of things that they would exchange.”
It comes as the Queen will attend a grand service of thanksgiving in Philip’s honour.
It is set to be held at Westminster Abbey on March 29 and will likely see large numbers of the royal family attending alongside the duke’s friends, colleagues and representatives of organisations he supported.
After the poignant image of the monarch sat distanced from other mourners due to lockdown regulations during Philip’s funeral service, she will be surrounded by those who knew and loved her husband.
As well as the service for the duke, who died in April aged 99, it is understood the Queen will also attend a diplomatic reception at Windsor on March 2 and the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 14.
The events form part of her full diary of duties and public outings following a four-month break after a health scare last year.
