Piers Morgan and Ruth Langsford are among stars to speak about a 'heartbreaking' image showing the Queen sitting alone at Prince Philip's funeral.
The Duke of Edinburgh was laid to rest on Saturday afternoon following his death last Friday, April 9, aged 99.
Queen Elizabeth II was separated from her family during the service held at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The funeral was limited to 30 guests and other adjustments were made in line with Covid guidelines.
The 94-year-old Monarch arrived at the Chapel in the state Bentley alongside her Lady-in-Waiting.
Philip's children – Prince of Wales, Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex – walked behind his coffin carried by a Land Rover Defender hearse the duke helped design.
They were joined by grandsons the Duke of Sussex, Duke of Cambridge and Peter Phillips and Vice Admiral Tim Lawrence, the Princess Royal’s husband, and the Queen’s nephew the Earl of Snowdon.
As the start of the service, the Queen took her seat in the ancient carved wooden stalls of St George’s Chapel, where was entirely alone on the south side of quire, while the other members of her family were walking in the procession.
When they arrived, coronavirus rules dictated the space next to the monarch – usually occupied by Philip – must remain empty, and the one next to it also.
The duke's second son, the Duke of York, was the closest to the Queen during the service.
But a poignant image showed the a solemn Queen whose face mostly covered with her jet black mask, edged in white.
This Morning host Ruth tweeted: "My heart is breaking for her. RIP Prince Philip."
"Has there ever been a more heart-breaking picture of The Queen?" Piers also asked on Twitter.
He added: "The cruel separation and loneliness suffered by so many in this pandemic, now endured by the world’s most famous woman as she says goodbye to her husband of 73 years. Just devastating."
"So alone - my heart breaks for her and so so many others who have lost loved ones this year," Good Morning Britain presenter Kate wrote.
"Just shows who ever you are the pain of grief and the loneliness it brings. #heartbreaking."
Pointless host Richard Osman added: "I hope they're all looking after the Queen now. Was so sad to see her by herself, as so many people have had to be over the last year."
BBC Breakfast's Dan Walker commented: "This is such a poignant photograph. A reminder of how this pandemic has changed all our lives. The Queen sits alone, with a mask on, as she says farewell to her ‘strength & stay’ for so much of her life. #EternalFatherStrongToSave."
