Queen Elizabeth Loses 'Love of Life' Prince Philip in 2021
The courage of Queen Elizabeth II is being praised on the first death anniversary of Prince Philip.
Over the past year, the 95-year-old has had to brave a lot in his life as a monarch and family matters. From being unable to properly perform royal duties in light of his health concerns to ridiculing son Andrew's sexual assault scandal, the monarch has undoubtedly suffered.
Royal expert Ingrid Seward is now reflecting on the Queen of the Year in a recent conversation with The Mirror.
"On the morning of 9 April 2021, Prince Philip was being helped into his bathroom when he complained of feeling unwell. He was returned to his bed where he died shortly afterwards.
"'It was as if someone grabbed his hand and he left.' Sophie Wessex later explained: 'It was 'very peaceful'.
"After 74 years of marriage, the Queen lost the man she loved at age 13 when she saw him jump over the tennis net at Dartmouth Naval College in 1939.
"The Queen's reaction to the death of her 'beloved' Philip was generally stoic and set in motion what was called 'Operation London Fourth Bridge'.
"The pandemic was still gripping the country and his funeral at St. George's Chapel, Windsor was growing more for his brief appearance. Grief is a strange thing and extremely private to the Queen.
"The first time she spoke with emotion was in a recorded message from Windsor Castle in November when she praised her 'dear late husband' in a recorded message to the climate conference. She called people 'our fragile Appreciate your work to encourage to protect the planet'.
"Eight months later in her Christmas message, she revealed genuine emotion. 'That mischievous, curious shimmer was finally as bright as when I first glanced at her.' She said. 'Her spirit of service, intellectual curiosity and ability to squeeze fun out of any situation were all irreplaceable.'
"She made him laugh. He made her situation stand out. When she was concerned about the family, he consoled her in her case. She recalled his wise council when Prince Andrew's drama reached its peak and that court She was determined to move in. She missed again against Virginia Giuffre when Michael Fawcett, Prince Charles' main charity fundraiser, was accused of paying respect to a substantial charity.
"Across the sea Harry and Meghan are facing litigation against the British establishment, including Her Majesty's Government.
"It's been a very rough year without her. In October she canceled a trip to Ireland. It was then revealed that she had spent the night in the hospital. Clearly things weren't going her way.
"Doctors advised rest and later in addition to her appearance at Westminster Abbey when she was first seen with a walking stick, virtual audiences and zoom chats remained from Windsor Castle.
"Her only time there was a weekend at Wood Farm in July when she visited his stud with her racing manager, John Warren.
"In February this year he made his annual pilgrimage to honor the death of his father after seventy years, before catching Covid at the end of the month.
"On Saturdays she'll be praying for her 'irresistible' Philip and then sitting in front of the TV watching the Grand National from the entry. Whatever happens in her final years, some things always stay the same."