Queen's three sons rushed to console 'devastated' mother after Philip's unexpected death

A heartbroken Queen Elizabeth was comforted by her three sons who rushed to be by her side after the sudden death of Prince Philip.

The Duke of Edinburgh may have been in delicate health recently and recovering after a month in hospital, but his death on Friday morning still came slightly unexpectedly.

He is thought to have been alone with his wife and a small group of staff at Windsor Castle when he passed away, before his sons quickly arrived.

Prince Andrew was the first son to get to the castle to console the Queen and he was joined by Edward and then Charles.

Andrew was the first son to see the Queen on Friday as he lives nearest on the Windsor estate (AFP via Getty Images)

Following a flurry of police activity at around 10.40am, Andrew, who lives closest at Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, arrived at the back entrance to the Elizabeth’s private apartments, just five minutes later.

By 11.15am, another family member believed to be Edward, had also arrived to be by his mother’s side.

Edward was also by the Queen's side on Friday following the death of Philip (Getty Images)

Prince Charles, facing a longer journey from Highgrove, his Gloucestershire estate, got to Windsor by Friday afternoon.

Charles and Philip have not always had the smoothest relationship but a Daily Mail source said the oldest son was "comforted" by the fact they had been in regular contact recently and "said all the things that needed to be said."

The Queen is heartbroken by the death of Philip as it is believed to have been sudden and unexpected (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

They added: "He was the only family member who was able to visit him in hospital and he was at Windsor as recently as the week before last.

"They spoke a great deal."

Friends also said they had been getting on well recently.

One said: "The idea that their relationship was strained, certainly in recent years, couldn’t have been further from the truth. And that’s an important thing to remember in all that is being written.

Charles had been to see Philip regularly in recent weeks and they were on good terms (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"There was genuine love, affection and understanding there. Which is all anyone holds dear at the end."

Philip passed away just shy of his 100th birthday and it was a shock even to many of the royal staff who felt he was still strong.

A source told the Daily Telegraph: "It was a surprise even though he had been in ill health.

"I think there was a sense that the Iron Duke would keep on going and make it to his 100th but sadly it wasn’t to be."