THE defiant Queen is planning to attend Prince Philip’s poignant memorial service today to honour her beloved husband.
Fears had been growing Her Majesty, 95, would be forced to pull out of the event after she missed a string of recent engagements.
Buckingham Palace remained tight-lipped over whether the Queen would attend as aides revealed she remained “determined”.
But they confirmed today she is currently intending to lead her family in honouring the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey.
This will be her first public engagement since February 5 after she faced a number of health scares including a battle with Covid.
The Monarch missed the Commonwealth Day ceremony earlier this month due to concerns about her “comfort”.
Read more royal news
She has also been seen using a walking stick over the last six months and recently told a visitor at Windsor Castle: “As you can see, I can’t move.”
But Her Majesty recently received a £62,000 golf buggy to help her get around – and there are hopes this could help her fulfil future engagements.
And she appeared on good form at Windsor last week as hopes grew she could make the 60-mile journey for the service today..
She has been “actively involved” in planning the service, which will feature elements Philip planned for his funeral that were banned due to Covid.
The Queen will be joined by senior royals including Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex.
Shamed Prince Andrew will also be attending after he paid millions out of court earlier this month to settle a civil sexual assault case.
His daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will be by their father’s side for the memorial.
Royals from around the world – including Prince Albert of Monaco, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe, King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway, and Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia – will be in the Abbey.
Boris and Carrie Johnson will also show their support after the PM was forced to apologise to the Queen over lockdown-busting parties at No10 on the eve of Philip’s scaled-back funeral.
Some of Philip’s great-grandchildren could also attend the service but it has not been confirmed which ones.
It is understood Prince Charles will sit beside his mother during the service after she was made to sit alone at Philip’s funeral in Windsor.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not be flying in from the States to honour the Duke amid a row over their security.
PHILIP’S WISHES
As part of Philip’s wishes, Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award holders and members of the youth UK Cadet Force associations will line the steps as the 1,800-strong congregation arrives.
Hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer will also be sung after Covid put an end to the royal’s funeral wishes.
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) will also provide rousing music before and after as part of his longstanding relationship with the Armed Forces.
The flowers also have a touching nod to Philip and the Queen’s 73-year marriage with orchids that appeared in her wedding bouquet to bloom in the church.
Prayers will be said for the duke’s “gifts of character; for his humour and resilience; his fortitude and devotion to duty”.
Philip was associated with over 700 charities and organisations and undertook 22,200 solo engagements.
The royal – the longest-standest consort ever – also stood by the Queen’s side on countless tours and engagements.
Read More on The Celeb Report
Following Philip’s death in April, the Queen 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 Windsor Castle that month as Her Majesty was seen sitting alone in silent mourning for her husband of more than 70 years.
