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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Queen's personal tribute to late husband Prince Philip at his memorial service

The Queen had been actively involved in the planning of yesterday's fitting memorial service for her late husband Prince Philip.

She ensured there were plenty of personal touches at the event at Westminster Abbey - despite the congregation being 1,800 strong.

And among the sweet tributes that were made to Philip at the event was one dated back to the day Her Majesty married Philip in November 1947 - in the same Abbey.

That's because the flowers in the church for the memorial service were in shades of patriotic red, white and blue, with larger arrangements featuring blue eryngium – known as sea holly – a nod to the duke’s career in the Royal Navy, and his lifelong affection for the sea.

Meanwhile, the smaller posies included white dendrobium orchids - the flowers that appeared in Princess Elizabeth’s wedding bouquet when she married Philip in 1947.

The Queen at Prince Philip's memorial service yesterday at Westminster Abbey (PA)

The Queen, who attended today's service, is said to have personally requested orchids to be included in her wedding bouquet.

Meanwhile the service also featured several of Prince Philip's poignant last requests that were finally honoured almost a year on from his funeral.

When he died last April aged 99, England was still in the grip of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This meant his funeral, held on April 17 at St George's Chapel in Windsor, was a much scaled-back service, with just 30 guests and no singing by the guests.

The Queen with the late Prince Philip ahead of his 99th birthday in June 2020 (PA)
The Queen and Prince Philip on their wedding day in 1947 (PA)

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It had been Philip's express wishes for the congregation to join and sing the rousing hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer at his funeral.

Although the hymn was sung by a small choir, guests at his funeral were not allowed to join in.

However, yesterday, this request was finally fulfilled when the packed congregation sang the hymn.

In addition, Philip, who worked on his own funeral details – codenamed Forth Bridge – for many years, had asked for the choir to sing Te Deum in C by Benjamin Britten, and this was also part of Tuesday’s proceedings.

The royals at the memorial service earlier yesterday (PA)

Meanwhile, clergy from Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral all played a special part in the service - at Philip's request.

Philip had an active role in the day-to-day management of the estates for many years.

He wanted the minister of Crathie Church near Balmoral, the rector of Sandringham and the chaplain to the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor Great Park, to take part in his funeral - but Covid restrictions could not allow this.

Nearly all members of the Royal Family attended yesterday's event including Prince Charles and Camilla, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The other royal attendees included the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Duke of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

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