Service of Thanksgiving for HRH Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh
The entire British Royal Family and royal families from across Europe came to Westminster Abbey to pay tribute to the life of Prince Philip. His Royal Highness died April of last year at Windsor Castle aged 99 after spending several weeks in hospital. Due to ongoing pandemic restrictions there were only thirty guests in attendance at the funeral. Images of the service went viral as the Queen, the epitome of service and leadership, sat alone mourning her husband of seventy-three years. It would later emerge that the Prime Minister was throwing parties at 10 Downing Street the night before the event in a flagrant disregard of the rules his government had issued.
Nonetheless, the Queen was able to properly celebrate her late husband's life in the presence of family, foreign royalty, friends, representatives from the Duke of Edinburgh's charities and some 1,800 others. Prince Philip worked with over five hundred charities in various capacities who were all represented during the service.
One particularly special moment included a tribute from Doyin Sonibare who took part in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. She attributed her ability to find a job to the work she did while obtaining her Duke of Edinburgh awards and she shared how the award opened doors for her throughout her adult life.
The Queen was accompanied by her son (the only one of her children who is single) from Windsor Castle to Westminster Abbey and sat beside the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall during the service. Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence sat next to them (her majesty's children were seated in birth order) with The Earl and Countess of Wessex and their two children, Lady Louise and James Viscount Severn, rounding out the front row.
Seven of her grandchildren were also present. Louise and James sat with their parents in the front row and the rest of the grandchildren were seated behind the Queen. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sat directly behind Her Majesty with their two children. Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi along with Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank sat behind the Cambridges. Across the aisle, Peter Philips sat with his two daughters while Zara and Mike Tindall were joined by their oldest daughter.
Five of her twelve great-grandchildren were present, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, Savannah and Isla Phillips, and Mia Tindall. The youngest was Princess Charlotte at age six as royal children don't typically begin attending these types of events until around age eight, but it is, of course, up to their parents.
Foreign royalty from across Europe was also present, representing Belgium, Denmark, Jordan, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. King Harald and Queen Sonja from Norway had RSVP'd but had to cancel due to the Kings covid diagnosis. Representatives from former monarchies were also present including several Greek royals, who remained close to the Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Philip was born a Prince of Greece).
His side of the family was also present, sitting across the aisle from the Queen. With most of the immediate and extended family present, it was definitely a well deserved send-off for Prince Philip who spent seven decades of his life devoted to the crown and country.
Members from the Dukes charities and Duke of Edinburgh awards holders were also in attendance to pay tribute to the Prince. The service was an important reminder about Prince Philip's many accomplishments and it was clear how loved he was from the touching tributes and the many displays of emotion.
Following the service, there was a private reception for guests.