Update 19 Sep 2022: For 17 months after death, Prince Philip awaited, to be buried with Queen
FILE PHOTO- Taken on October 31, 1972 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, pose at Balmoral Castle, near the village of Crathie in Aberdeenshire. - (AFP)
British History's longest reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday, 8 September at the age of 96. Her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, passed away on 9 April 2021 at the age of 99. The longest serving consort to the Queen, Prince Philip, had also been a part of a marriage that was the longest of any British monarch, lasting more than 73 years.
After the demise of Queen Elizabeth II, her late husband will now be moved to lie beside his now late wife following her state funeral. The burial arrangements for the royal couple had been disclosed last year when Prince Philip passed away in April. The plan was aimed to lay the pair side by side in burial. Prince Philip's mourning which was attended by his then 95 year old wife during the coronavirus lockdown, was the epitome example of a nation's isolation. Prince Philip had retired from royal duties three years before his death. When he died at the age of 99, his coffin was first placed in St George’s Chapel, within Windsor Castle’s grounds. There he lay in rest for family and invited guests to pay their respects.
According to reports, Prince Philip had wished for a low-key affair for his funeral and rejected any proposals that it should bear the hallmarks of a state funeral. Following the ceremony, Price Philip's mortal remains were taken to the Royal Vault within the St. George's Chapel and became the 25th member of the Royal Family to be interred. He shall remain there until the Queen’s death. The Royal Vault was constructed during 1810–14. The vault is placed underneath the St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
In this file photo taken on June 5, 2022, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II waves to the crowd from Buckingham Palace balcony at the end of the Platinum Pageant in London as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. (Photo: AFP/Frank Augstein)
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, the nation's figurehead and a towering presence on the world stage for seven decades, died peacefully at her home in Scotland on Thursday (Sep 8) aged 96. "The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family," the new king, her eldest son Charles, said.
"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world," the 73-year-old said in a statement. News that the queen's health was deteriorating emerged shortly after midday on Thursday when her doctors said she was under medical supervision, prompting her family to rush to Scotland to be by her side. Thousands gathered outside Buckingham Palace, in central London, and there was a stunned silence when the flag was lowered to half-mast. The crowd surged to the gates as the notice announcing the death of the only monarch most Britons have ever known was attached to the black iron gates.
Royal officials said King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, would remain at Balmoral Castle, where the queen died, before returning to London on Friday, when he is expected to address the nation and meet Prime Minister Liz Truss. Details of the funeral have not been confirmed. On Elizabeth's death, Charles automatically became monarch of the United Kingdom and the head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. He is expected to visit all the nations of the United Kingdom in the coming days.
The Queen releases a special message on her 95th birthday
Reaching the age of 95 would be a significant milestone for any of us, not to mention for a figure as renowned as the Queen. Yet under the combined circumstances of the pandemic and the recent death of Prince Philip, the day will not be commemorated in the fashion usually befitting such an occasion.
The monarch has, however, reached out to the public to acknowledge the significant event. A statement from Buckingham Palace, dispatched on Wednesday 21 April, explains that ‘The Queen has sent the following message, on the occasion of Her Majesty’s birthday.‘ It reads:
- ‘I have, on the occasion of my 95th birthday today, received many messages of good wishes, which I very much appreciate.
- ‘While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and to hear the tributes paid to my husband, from those within the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world.
- ‘My family and I would like to thank you all for the support and kindness shown to us in recent days. We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life.‘
- The touching message is signed, ‘ELIZABETH R.‘
Prince Philip, the Longest-Serving British Consort in History, Has Died
He was 99-years-old
Queen Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has died. He was 99-years-old. The news comes just a few weeks after he was released from the hospital, where he underwent a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition.
"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," reads a statement released by the royal family this morning. "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."
Additionally, the profile photos of a variety of royal social media accounts, have changed to somber images of the Duke. Prince Philip has largely stayed out of the public eye following his retirement from public life in August of 2017, but last summer he did attend his granddaughter Princess Beatrice's private wedding ceremony, and his final public appearance was attending a military event at Windsor Castle in July to transfer a ceremonial role to his daughter-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall.
The queen says goodbye to Philip, continues her reign alone
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II sits alone in St. George’s Chapel during the funeral of Prince Philip, the man who had been by her side for 73 years, at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021. Prince Philip died April 9 at the age of 99 after 73 years of marriage to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. (Jonathan Brady/Pool via AP)
Sitting by herself at the funeral of Prince Philip on Saturday, Queen Elizabeth cut a regal but solitary figure: still the monarch, but now alone.
The queen sat apart from family members at the simple but somber ceremony at Windsor Castle, in accordance with strict social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic. But if the ceremony had been for anyone else, at her side would have been her husband of 73 years, who gave a lifetime of service to the crown.
Wearing a face mask, the queen was dressed all in black, except for the diamond brooch that flashed on her left shoulder — a piece she had often worn on engagements with her husband.
Prince Philip's Cause of Death Revealed by Queen's Physician as 'Old Age'
Prince Philip's death was certified by Sir Huw Thomas, the head of the royal medical household and the physician to the Queen
Prince Philip's cause of death has been confirmed. The 99-year-old royal died of "old age," according to The Telegraph, which reportedly obtained his death certificate.
The death was certified by Sir Huw Thomas, the head of the royal medical household and the physician to the Queen.
Typically, the term "old age" is acceptable as a cause of death if the patient is over 80 years old and if the physician has personally cared for them over a long period, The Telegraph reported. Sir Huw Thomas has been caring for the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth since 2014.
The touching story behind the Queen’s engagement ring – designed by Prince Philip
PRINCESS ELIZABETH AND PRINCE PHILIP, 1947
On this day 74 years ago, the public were let in on the joyful news of Princess Elizabeth’s impending nuptials to Prince Philip – then a dashing young lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
Born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, the late Duke of Edinburgh first met the future Queen in 1939, when she was just 13 years old. Their romance blossomed in the following years, and Philip is believed to have asked King George VI for his daughter’s hand in marriage in 1946. The king consented, but requested that the announcement be delayed until after Elizabeth’s 21st birthday, in April 1947.
The couple officially declared their engagement on 9 July 1947 and held a special photocall at Buckingham Palace, where images and footage of the smiling young pair were captured and broadcast around the world – then a very new, modern way of breaking such news via the global media. Sparkling on Elizabeth’s finger was a diamond and platinum engagement ring, which Philip had designed himself.
Queen’s touching ‘secret promise’ to Prince Philip before he died
The royal couple swore to one another they would enjoy the remainder of their lives without each other (Picture: Getty)
The Queen ‘made a touching promise’ to Prince Philip before he passed away aged 99, it’s claimed.
Her Majesty, 95, reportedly vowed to continue enjoying life after losing her husband of 73 years. The Duke of Edinburgh swore to do the same if the monarch went first as the couple discussed how they would cope without each other, royal expert Richard Kay says.
Writing for the Daily Mail, he said: ‘Philip’s retirement had allowed her time to adjust to doing things alone. But provided he was at the end of the phone after a trying day, the world’s best-known double act could still function behind the scenes.
Queen's 'secret promise' to Prince Philip before his death
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II in 2015. Photo / Getty Images
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh had made a very special promise to each other before Prince Philip's death, it has been revealed.
According to royal expert Richard Kay, the Queen vowed to continue enjoying life, after the death of her husband of 73 years.
Prince Philip had made the same promise to the monarch, if she were to die first.
Prince Philip's Life in Pictures
Take a look back at the iconic moments in his extraordinary life
Queen Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has died. He was 99-years-old. The royal family confirmed the sad news this morning.
"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," reads a statement."His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."
Take a look back at his extraordinary life in photos, here.
PRINCE PHILIP, 99 YEARS OLD
Prince Philip was born from two royal families, one from Greece and one from Denmark. The royal mix may be to thank for his marriage to the long-reigning Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth the Second. The now 99-year-old Prince Philip has lived a life in the limelight next to the Queen and he still attends Royal events alongside his wife. He has been her constant companion and confidant through a lifetime of challenges and victories.
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Here's Why Queen Elizabeth II Has Two Birthdays
Queen Elizabeth II turned 93 this year, her 67th birthday since she ascended the throne in 1952. However, that’s not the only birthday she celebrates this year. As always, Her Royal Majesty not only observes her actual birth date, but also her official birthday as monarch.
Here’s why the Queen has two birthdays:
- Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born to the Duke and Duchess of York—later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother—on April 21, 1926, making April 21 her real birthday. However, when she became queen in 1952 following her father’s death, she also began celebrating her official birthday.
- Celebrating an official birthday as monarch is a practice that started more than 250 years ago in 1748 when King George II decided that he wanted a better chance of good weather on his birthday than his November birth date afforded, according to the BBC. The King solved this problem by combining his birthday celebration with an annual military parade that took place each summer, beginning the double birthday tradition.
- Since then, the second Saturday of June has become the usual date of the British monarch’s official birthday.
Tradition explained: Why does the Queen have two birthdays?
The Queen’s 95th birthday falls less than a week after Prince Philip’s funeral (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21 April in 1926 to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, so this year marks her 95th birthday. Her second, ceremonial birthday celebration is marked on the second Saturday in June, which this year falls on the 12 June.
The convention of an official monarch’s birthday has been in place since 1748, during the reign of King George II. George’s birthday fell in November, with the inclement autumn weather hampering his desire to mark the occasion with a large-scale public celebration. He made the decision to combine his celebration with Trooping the Colour, an annual military parade in the summer.
The Queen: Why does she have two birthdays?
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Today is the Queen's official birthday, despite the fact she was born in April
It is the Queen's birthday celebration on Saturday 12 June - but she also has another one earlier in the year. The Queen has two birthdays - her real one - on 21 April, as she was born on 21 April 1926 and turned 95 this year. Then a second one - the official celebration - on the second Saturday of June. So why does the Queen have two birthdays, and how does she celebrate them?
In the past, official celebrations to mark a King or Queen's birthday in the UK have been held on a day that isn't their actual birthday. The Queen's great-grandfather, Edward VII, who was King from 1901 to 1910 was born in November, which is not known in the UK for its good weather.
But he wanted it to be possible to have a big public celebration - and November wasn't the time do it. So, given that his actual birthday wouldn't be a good time of year for a birthday parade, he decided to combine it with an annual military parade in the summer, when the weather would hopefully be nice.
Queen Elizabeth II marked her official 94th birthday
It is the first time the Queen has celebrated her official birthday at Windsor Castle
The Queen's official birthday has been marked with a unique ceremony performed by the Welsh Guard at Windsor Castle. It comes after the traditional Trooping the Colour parade was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is only the second time in her 68-year reign that the parade in London has not gone ahead. The Queen, flanked by officials, sat alone on a dais for the ceremony. It was her first official public appearance since lockdown began.
The Queen celebrated her 94th birthday in April, but it is officially - and publicly - celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year. It is typically accompanied by the annual announcement of the Queen's Birthday Honours' List. However, this year she has "graciously agreed" to postpone publication of the list to the autumn.
