LONDON (AP) – Queen Elizabeth II has returned to royal duties four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, as preparations for his weekend ceremonial funeral ramped up on Wednesday.
The 94-year-old British monarch attended a retirement ceremony for a senior royal official on Tuesday, according to the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements.
The royal family observes two weeks of mourning for Philip, who died Friday at the age of 99. The palace has said that during the mourning period, relatives will “enter into agreements that are appropriate to the circumstances.”
The family also released never-before-seen photos as they shared memories of Philip. One photo shows the Queen and Philip surrounded by seven of their great-grandchildren at a family gathering in 2018. The photo, which shows the Queen holding a baby Prince Louis in her lap, is a rare image of the monarch holding one of her big grandchildren. grandchildren.
The Queen attended a ceremony at Windsor Castle for Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel, who has retired as the most senior official of the royal house. He oversaw the funeral arrangements for Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, until he was handed over to his successor days before the Duke’s death.
The Queen and Philip’s daughter, Princess Anne, were in public on Wednesday, visiting young sailors at the Royal Yacht Squadron sailing club on the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England. Prince Philip was a veteran of the Royal Navy and an avid sailor.
His funeral will take place at Windsor Castle on Saturday, with attendance limited to 30 due to coronavirus restrictions.
Although it is a scaled-down service due to the pandemic, hundreds of soldiers from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force will participate in the funeral procession, and Philip’s coffin will be carried to St. George’s Chapel. at the castle on a specially modified Land Rover, which he designed himself.
Military personnel rehearsed for the event on Wednesday at Army Training Center Pirbright, near London. One of the four Royal Marines buglers who will play “The Last Post” on the service said it was an “honor and privilege” to fill the role.
“It’s incredibly important. We feel nervous, ”said Sgt. Bugler Jamie Ritchie. “We feel the pressure, but we channel that and we use that and we are going to put in an excellent performance.”
Since Philip’s death, his four children have all paid tribute to him, as have grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry.
Another grandchild, Eugenie, shared memories of “learning to cook, paint and read” with her “dearest grandpa” on Instagram.
“I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the Navy,” wrote Eugenie, the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York. “I remember burning the sausages and you came in to save the day. I remember your hands and your smile and your favorite beer. “
“I will remember you in your children, your grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” she wrote. “Thank you for your dedication and love to all of us and especially to Grandma, for whom we will take care of you.”