Queen still determined to attend Prince Philip’s memorial: Royal experts suggest monarch, 95, feels it is ‘very important’ to be at tomorrow’s service… but she could still pull out on the morning
- Queen is set to join other royals at Westminster Abbey for tomorrow’s service of thanksgiving for Philip
- 95-year-old monarch will attend along with more than 30 foreign royals and Philip’s family and friends
- 500 representatives from charities and organisations of which Philip was patron will also be at service
The Queen is still expected to attend tomorrow’s memorial service for Prince Philip because she feels it is ‘very important’ to be there but won’t be in a wheelchair despite her mobility issues, a royal expert said today.
The 95-year-old monarch is expected to join members of the Royal Family at Westminster Abbey for the service of thanksgiving for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh – but a final decision will not be made until tomorrow morning.
The Queen is due to attend the service – live on BBC One from 10.30am – along with more than 30 foreign royals, Philip’s family and friends and 500 representatives from charities and organisations of which he was patron.
The head of state has recently been forced to pull out of engagements because of ill health and old age – and could not attend the Commonwealth Day service on March 14 due to concerns about her mobility and comfort.
But Elizabeth II is determined to travel from Windsor Castle to London to mark the long and productive life of her beloved husband, who died in April last year, aged 99.
Royal author Angela Levin told Sky News this morning that the Queen is still expected to attend the service tomorrow
A graphic shows the plan for the service to remember Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey which takes place tomorrow
The Queen and Prince Philip are pictured together arriving at Royal Ascot in June 2014. Philip died last year aged 99
Asked whether the Queen will attend the service tomorrow, royal author Angela Levin told Sky News this morning: ‘Well she says yes, because she’s now got her golf, little car and it’s big enough to take the corgis in as well.
‘She won’t take them obviously to the thanksgiving service, but I think that will give her the mobility she wants.
What Buckingham Palace has said about Prince Philip’s memorial service
Members of The Royal Family attend a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
‘Members of the Royal Family will attend a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday, 29th March.
‘The Service will give thanks for The Duke of Edinburgh’s dedication to family, Nation and Commonwealth and recognise the importance of his legacy in creating opportunities for young people, promoting environmental stewardship and conservation, and supporting the Armed Forces.
‘The Service will in particular pay tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh’s contribution to public life and steadfast support for the over 700 charitable organisations with which His Royal Highness was associated throughout his life.
‘Alongside the Royal Family, Members of Foreign Royal Families and The Duke of Edinburgh’s wider family and friends, the congregation will include over 500 representatives of The Duke of Edinburgh’s patronages and charities, reflecting the breadth of causes and charitable interests championed by His Royal Highness, and as a tribute to those who continue his work.
‘Other guests at the Service will include representatives from UK Government, the Armed Forces and the Devolved Administrations, Realm High Commissioners, representatives of Overseas Territories, representatives from The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Household, representatives from The Duke’s Regimental Affiliations in the UK and the Commonwealth, as well as the clergy and other faiths.
‘The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, founded by His Royal Highness in 1956, will feature prominently in the Service, with a Tribute to be given by a Gold Award Holder.
‘In recognition of The Duke of Edinburgh’s long-held relationship with the Armed Forces, the Band of the Royal Marines will provide music before and after the Service. The Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal Choirs will provide music during the Service.’
‘And she didn’t want to be in a wheelchair because she wants to be dignified and she doesn’t want to look as if she’s really, really old despite her age.
‘And this is actually quite zany, and if they can get her into her position without everybody watching and seeing how difficult it is for her to walk, I think it will work very well.
‘She looks much, much better and it’s very important for her to appear.
‘And I think we’ve been told that she will, she hasn’t said she’s going to leave it until the absolute last minute and I think it would be heartbreaking for her not to be able to get there.’
The Queen and Philip were married in the Abbey in November 1947 and it holds many special memories.
About 1,800 guests will be there. By contrast, his funeral was limited to 30 people because of Covid restrictions.
The Duke of York will attend, even though he paid millions this month to settle a civil sexual assault case. He denies wrongdoing.
But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not returning from the US for the service, although Harry plans to go to Holland next month to attend the Invictus Games.
Palace and Abbey aides will probably take steps to ensure that the event is less taxing for the Queen. She may well arrive at a side entrance away from cameras and take a shorter route to her seat. The floor of the ancient abbey is uneven, so it is also likely that she will use her walking stick.
The memorial service will pay tribute to Philip’s dedication to ‘family, nation and Commonwealth’, his contribution to public life and his steadfast support to his charities, Buckingham Palace said last week.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the youth scheme set up by Philip in 1956, will feature prominently, with a special tribute delivered by a Gold Award holder.
In recognition of Philip’s long-held relationship with the armed forces, the Band of the Royal Marines will provide music before and after the service.
Other guests will include representatives from UK Government, the armed forces and the devolved administrations, realm High Commissioners, representatives of overseas territories, members of the Queen and the duke’s household, representatives from the duke’s regimental affiliations in the UK and the Commonwealth, as well as the clergy and other faiths.
The Queen, 95, uses a walking stick as she arrives to view a display of artefacts from British craftwork company Halcyon Days, to commemorate the company’s 70th anniversary in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle last week on March 23
The Queen smiles as she views a display of hand-decorated teapots brought to Windsor Castle for her to see on March 23
Prince William, Camilla, Prince Charles and Kate at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day Service on March 14
Members of several European royal families, who also distantly related to both the Queen and Philip, including the Spanish and Belgian families, have announced their intention to be there.
A Palace spokesman said last week: ‘The service will give thanks for The Duke of Edinburgh’s dedication to family, nation and Commonwealth and recognise the importance of his legacy in creating opportunities for young people, promoting environmental stewardship and conservation, and supporting the armed forces.
‘The service will in particular pay tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh’s contribution to public life and steadfast support for the over 700 charitable organisations with which His Royal Highness was associated throughout his life.’
The Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal Choirs will provide music during the service.
HRH the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: A Service of Thanksgiving is on BBC One at 10.30am tomorrow
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