Four days after the loss of her husband, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II returned to work.
On Tuesday, the British monarch attended a retirement ceremony for a high-ranking royal official. The news came from the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements.
The announcement did not surprise a former senior assistant.
“Her family will stand up and be by her side, but she will continue,” the source at the palace told People magazine on Wednesday. “She understands that she has work to do, as well [Philip] would have wanted her to continue. She did when he retired from public life. “
QUEEN ELIZABETH DUTIES FIRST DUTY SINCE THE DEATH OF PRINCE PHILIP: REPORT
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip tied the knot in 1947. They stayed together until his death.
(AP Photo / Alastair Grant)
“She will never step down because of duty and honor and the public service is as deep for her as it is for him,” another royal insider told the outlet.
The royal family mourns the Duke of Edinburgh for two weeks, who died on Friday at the age of 99. The palace has said members of the royal family will “enter into agreements appropriate to the circumstances” during the mourning period.
The Queen, 94, attended a ceremony at Windsor Castle for Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel, who has retired as the Royal Household’s most senior official. He oversaw the funeral arrangements for Prince Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, until he was handed over to his successor days before the Duke’s death.
On Monday, Prince William shared a similar sentiment about continuing his moving tribute to Philip.
HOW PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE MIDDLETON BRING THE NEWS OF PRINCE PHILIP’S DEATH TO THEIR CHILDREN: SOURCE
Prince William took to social media where he shared a moving tribute in honor of his grandfather.
(Phil Walter / Getty Images)
“I will miss my grandfather, but I know he would like us to work,” the 38-year-old wrote.
People magazine shared that while Elizabeth has scaled back her public engagements over the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic, she was joined by family members on recent outings. In October she and William teamed up to visit a top-level laboratory.
The outlet added that the Queen stepped out solo in late March to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force at the CWGC Air Forces Memorial in Surrey.
Philip’s funeral will take place at Windsor Castle on Saturday, with attendance limited to 30 due to restrictions due to the coronavirus.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Prince Philip’s funeral will take place on Saturday.
(Photo by Jeff Spicer / Getty Images)
Soldiers and women from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force will take part in the funeral procession, and Philip’s coffin will be carried to St. George’s Chapel in the castle on a custom Land Rover he designed himself.
Philip is survived by the Queen and their four children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – as well as eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.