THE Queen will carry on serving the country after the death of her beloved husband as she stands by her vows to “devote her whole life” to the UK.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been married to the Queen for 73 years and was described as her constant strength, passed away “peacefully” at Windsor Castle on Friday morning.
* Read our live blog for the very latest news on Prince Philip’s death…
Philip had dedicated his life to the Queen and died just before his 100th birthday in June this year.
In the past the Queen regularly called the Duke her “constant strength” and “guide”.
The pair were described as “love matched” and married in 1947 at Westminster Abbey.
Now the Queen, for the first time in 73 years, will be forced to face the family’s ups and downs without her rock by her side.
Although the prospect of continuing her reign is likely to be daunting without her husband’s devoted companionship, she will continue to serve the country.
According to a lady-in-waiting, the Queen will stand by the vows she made at her Coronation – “my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service”.
“Obviously there will be a gap while she is getting over it, but she has faced the possibility in her own mind and the vows she made at the Coronation are still with her,” the lady-in-waiting told the Daily Mail.
“The real Elizabeth is a very humble person. Her secret, that she divulged to me a very long time ago, is acceptance.”
Prince Philip’s death would not have come as a huge shock to the Queen and her faith will help her cope, according to an old friend.
“She has been prepared for it,” the friend told the Daily Mail.
“She also has her faith to sustain her. It is central to her life and it means she looks confidently forward to the time when she and he are reunited.”
Her Royal Highness is expected to enter 8 days of mourning for Prince Philip before he is set to be buried in Frogmore Gardens at Windsor Castle.
It comes as:
- The Queen has told of her ‘deep sorrow’ after Philip’s death
- Her Majesty will be “lost” without Prince Philip as he was her “world”, the Duke’s cousin says
- Harry wants ‘nothing more’ than to be with the Queen – but it’s not yet known if Meghan will fly back to the UK to join him
- Boris Johnson is among the leading figures to pay tribute to ‘extraordinary’ Prince Philip
- The Tower of London and Navy warships will lead a gun salute in honour of Prince Philip at noon today
Her Majesty will not carry out any duties – even in private – and laws will not be given the Royal Assent as she grieves for the beloved Duke of Edinburgh.
The death of Prince Philip comes after a turmoil-filled 12 months for the royals after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry quit the royal family.
The firm were forced to cope with Harry’s alleged feud with his brother Prince William, as well as the backlash about the couple’s private jet journeys – despite the Sussexes speaking out on environmental issues.
Then came Megxit – which saw Harry and Meghan’s decision to move their lives to California, rather than stay in the newly refurbished Frogmore Cottage.
In January, the family faced the couple’s decision to step down as senior royals, and their dig at the Queen’s statement.
The statement read that the Queen had “written confirming that in stepping away from the work of the Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.”
But the Sussexes hit back saying: “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
Meanwhile their son, Prince Andrew, was forced to step back from official royal arrangements over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Now the Queen will have to face the aftermath of the year’s rollercoaster events – all the while mourning the loss of her husband.
According to reports, and in keeping with the Duke’s no-fuss public image, it is believed that he has asked not to be given a full state funeral.
Instead, it is thought that he has requested what will fundamentally be a military funeral, with a private service held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor and burial in Frogmore Gardens.
It is expected that only family members and a small number of heads of state will attend the service, and TV cameras will not be allowed inside the chapel, unlike for royal weddings.
