THE Queen carried one of Prince Philip’s trademark handkerchiefs and a photo of them together in Malta in her handbag for his funeral, a royal insider has claimed.
Her Majesty, 94, kept both items in her handbag – an accessory she often uses to hold precious objects.
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Both items hold sentimental value for the Queen and her marriage of more than seven decades to Prince Philip.
The white, folded square, inserted into the breast pocket of a sharply cut suit, was a strong feature of the Duke’s classic style.
And the couple kept Malta close to their hearts.
They visited as newlyweds, living in Villa Guardamangia between 1949 and 1951, while Philip was stationed there as a naval officer with HMS Magpie.
It comes as…
- A sombre Queen sat alone on the “saddest and most difficult day” as she bid farewell to husband prince Philip
- Prince Harry and William shared a private chat as they left the funeral
- The brothers sat facing each other during the service at St George’s Chapel
- Meghan Markle left a handwritten note to Prince Philip
- The Duchess of Sussex watched the funeral from the US after not being able to fly to the UK for the service
- Prince Charles fought back tears at the emotional funeral
- Kate Middleton gave a touching nod to Diana and the Queen by wearing a pearl choker
- The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault
The Queen later described it as one of the best periods of her life, saying she could live “normally”, and they often returned.
The couple, who were married for 73 years, celebrated their 60th anniversary there in 2007.
But today, the Queen sat alone for the funeral to bid farewell to her husband.
Members of the Royal Family were also present, including her four children Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew.
And she left a hand-written note to Philip alongside a wreath of white lilies, small white roses and white freesia.
The Queen bowed her head as she said goodbye to her husband.
And a royal historian has since claimed the funeral could signify a turning point for the monarch.
Professor Sarah Richardson said the service could see the 94-year-old take a step back.
University of Warwick’s Prof Richardson said: “To some extent this is the end of a period. The Queen will carry on and she will carry on doing her duty, she’s already gone back to work to some extent.
“I think she will step back more and more, she’s in her mid-90s. Seeing her there solely on her own, when she’s been accompanied by Philip for 70-odd years, I think it represents a turning point.”
Princes William, 38, and Harry, 36, came face-to-face for the first time since the Duke of Sussex quit royal life – and since his explosive Oprah Winfrey chat.
The pair were kept 12ft apart as they walked behind Prince Philip’s coffin, separated by Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips, 43 – a pal of both.
But the brothers, who both walked behind their mother Princess Diana’s coffin in 1997, shared a private moment and chatted after the service.
