LONDON (AP) – Queen Elizabeth II returned to royal duties four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, as preparations for his ceremonial funeral ramped up over the weekend.
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 members of the royal family will “make alliances appropriate to the circumstances” during the mourning period.
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 Prince 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.
Philip’s funeral will take place at Windsor Castle on Saturday, with attendance limited to 30 due to restrictions due to the coronavirus.
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.
Since Philip’s death, his four children have all paid tribute to him, as have grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry.
Another grandchild, Princess Eugenie, paid tribute to her “dearest grandpa” in an Instagram post on Wednesday. The youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, shared memories of “learning to cook, paint and read” with her grandfather.
“I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the Navy,” Eugenie wrote. “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.
“Thank you for your dedication and love to all of us and especially to Grandma, for whom we will take care of you.”