THE Queen, Princess Anne and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, all wore dark green for Prince Philip’s thanksgiving service today – and there is a very poignant reason why.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away last April at the age of 99, had dark green as his official livery colour.
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.”
Her Majesty, 95, also paid a touching tribute to her late husband wearing a special brooch that he gave to her over fifty years ago.
The Grima Ruby Brooch, also known as the Scarab Brooch, was created by celebrated jeweller Andrew Grima, and bought by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1966.
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The bells rang out across Westminster as senior royals, charity workers and foreign royals arrived to remember the Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince George and Princess Charlotte were among those in attendance.
Zara Tindall and husband Mike arrived with daughter Mia along with Peter Phillips and his children Savannah and Isla.
Philip’s daughter Princess Anne stopped to speak to Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award holders and members of the youth UK Cadet Force associations who are attending under Philip’s wishes.
Her Majesty organised for Prince Philip’s Service of Thanksgiving to take place at Westminster Abbey after his funeral was scaled back due to Covid last year.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, was laid to rest last spring, when singing was banned and numbers were limited to just 30 people under Covid restrictions.
His memorial service today, however, marks a more uplifting affair, with the Queen said to have been “actively involved” in the day’s planning.
In a particularly personal touch, Her Majesty opted to feature the flowers she and Philip had on their wedding day – white orchids – in the service.
The day’s flowers are in shades of red, white and blue, marking the same shades of the Union Jack flag.
The orchids feature in smaller posies, along with red freesias, alstroemeria and spray roses, white dendrobium orchids, freesias and Eustoma and blue iris and eryngium.
Larger floral arrangements include red roses, carnations and Gerbera, white roses, Eustoma and large white chrysanthemums and blue agapanthus, delphinium and eryngium [known as sea holly].
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FLOWER POWER
Queen’s sweet personal tribute to husband Philip at his memorial service
Orchids featured in The Queen’s wedding bouquet in 1947.
Meanwhile sea holly is a touching nod to the Duke of Edinburgh’s career in the Navy, Majesty Magazine reports.
As part of Philip’s wishes, Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award holders and members of the youth UK Cadet Force associations will today line the steps as the 1,800-strong congregation arrives.
