Prince Philip’s life to be celebrated with a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in spring, Queen reveals

By Jenny Smith 24 December, 2021 2 mins read 661 Views

A POIGNANT service of thanksgiving to honour Prince Philip will take place next year.

The Queen agreed the event celebrating the Duke of Edinburgh’s life and achievements will take place in Spring at Westminster Abbey.

The Queen will today mark her first anniversary without Prince Philip

The couple pictured on their wedding day in 1947

The congregation will include family, friends and dignitaries with further details to be announced soon.

Representatives from the charities and organisations Prince Philip was associated with will also be in attendance.

Following his death in April, the monarch said she and her family were in a “period of great sadness” but were touched by tributes paid to him.

Philip was laid to rest in April in Windsor Castle as the Queen was seen sitting alone in silent mourning for her husband of more than 70 years.

Buckingham Palace also released a heartbreaking picture of the couple relaxing together in Balmoral.

The announcement comes as the Queen faces her first Christmas without Philip.

She will be joined by Prince Charles and Camilla for dinner at Windsor Castle.

Daughter Princess Anne, 71, will not be able to spend Christmas Day with the monarch as planned as her husband Sir Timothy Laurence has tested positive for Covid.

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The Queen had hoped to celebrate the festive period at her favourite country retreat in Sandringham- as she has done for decades.

But instead, the monarch will stay at Windsor Castle for the second year running.

Last month, the Queen faced what would have been her 74th wedding anniversary with the Duke of Edinburgh after they wed in 1947.

She sent a poignant message about the “passage of time” as she prepared to mark the day.

Addressing the opening session of the 11th General Synod of the Church of England, the Queen said: “It is hard to believe that it is over 50 years since Prince Philip and I attended the very first meeting of the General Synod.

“None of us can slow the passage of time, and while we often focus on all that has changed in the intervening years, much remains unchanged, including the Gospel of Christ and his teachings.”