THE Queen paid tribute to her beloved husband of 70 years with six personal touches at his emotional funeral.
Her Majesty bid farewell to Prince Philip yesterday alongside 29 members of her family and close friends.
Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates
It was a deeply personal service, with details decided by the Duke before his death, and watched by millions across the globe.
Due to Covid restrictions the mourners were grieving separately, with the Queen sat alone in St George’s Chapel gazing at Philip’s coffin.
She had added a personal note and flowers to the top of the casket, and carried mementos of their long and happy life together for the sad day.
The Monarch spoke of her “deep sorrow” to have lost her “strength and stay”, after Philip died aged 99 on April 9.
Hidden holiday photo and Philip’s handkerchief
The Queen is said to have carried a picture of the two of them in her handbag yesterday.
An insider claimed she put a photo of herself and Philip from their time in Malta in her bag for the heartbreaking day.
She is also thought to have kept one of her husband’s handkerchiefs with her.
The white, folded square, inserted into the breast pocket of a sharply cut suit, was a strong feature of the Duke’s classic style.
The mourning Monarch sat alone in the chapel, but with her trusty handbag next to her on the seat Philip used to occupy, filled with reminders of him.
Pet name
The Queen was known as “Lilibet” by close family members.
It was a nickname given to her by her father, George VI, with Philip calling her by the pet name.
Resting on top of Philip’s coffin was a handwritten card reading “in loving memory” and the duke’s Admiral of the Fleet naval cap and sword.
The signature on the card was tucked out of sight in the flowers, obscuring whether it read Elizabeth or Lilibet – the duke’s nickname for the Queen.
People, however, reported that the poignant signature read, “Lilibet”.
Flowers
The Queen chose the flowers for Prince Philip’s funeral in a touching tribute to her husband.
Her Majesty opted for white lilies and small white roses for the wreath on the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin before bidding him a final farewell.
Also on the duke’s wreath were white freesia, white wax flower, white sweet peas and jasmine.
Private moment
The Royal Family was granted a moment of privacy to bid Prince Philip farewell yesterday as cameras cut away for their final goodbyes.
His funeral was broadcast to millions around the world, with cameras showing the duke’s coffin being lowered into the Royal Vault.
It was the first time ever the moment has been televised and marked a groundbreaking moment for royal history.
But as the time came for the coffin to slowly disappear, the cameras cut away, allowing each member of the Royal Family a chance to grieve alone.
The cameras cut away from the Queen, hunched over and head bowed, to the piper, the buglers and trumpeters positioned in the Nave.
Her Majesty was in her usual seat in the second row of the Quire, but this time, without her husband by her side.
Final tribute
The Queen selected a favourite picture of Prince Philip as her final tribute to him.
The Royal Family Twitter account issued an image of the Duke tipping his hat and walking away after the funeral finished and he was laid to rest.
It was a powerful end to an emotional day, as the nation – and the Queen – said goodbye to Philip.
