By Queen attends Prince Philip’s memorial service
The Queen is attending the service of thanksgiving for the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey, who died last year aged 99.
The service is celebrating his public service and a “long life lived fully”.
Representatives of his charities, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, are attending, as are members of European royal families.
It is the first major event this year attended by the 95-year-old monarch after she suffered ill health and covid last month.
She travelled to the service from Windsor Castle with the Duke of York, who is making his first public appearance since the settlement of a civil sex assault case.
Many have felt concerned regarding the Queen recently as she has had problems with her mobility and had to pull out of the Commonwealth Service earlier this month.
Special measures have been put in place for her comfort, including keeping the length of the service to 45 minutes. She is also expected to enter through the back of the Abbey via Poet’s Corner, as this is a shorter route to her seat.
Other members of the royal family in attendance include Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their three children.
However, Prince Harry is not in attendance and remains in his home in California after a dispute over security provisions
Boris Johnson and other political leaders are also in attendance.
Prince Philip died last April, during Covid regulations which meant that his funeral had to be limited to 30 guests.
This funeral produced the memorable image of the Queen sitting alone.
Today’s service includes elements that had been planned for Prince Philip’s funeral, such as the entry to Westminster Abbey being lined by Duke of Edinburgh gold award winners.
