Clad in mourning black, the Queen struck a solitary and sombre figure as she sat in St George’s Chapel to pay a final farewell to her husband of 73 years.
The seat next to her, normally filled by Prince Philip during seven decades of royal weddings and funerals at the 15th-century chapel, was empty. As was the one next to it. The row behind her, also.
The nearest royal to her was the Duke of York, who was well out of arm’s reach. So, without the comfort of human touch, she sat alone. Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall were opposite her, across the aisle.
Only the Queen’s eyes were visible, the rest of her face hidden behind a black mask edged with white. As the world watched, she bowed her head during the national minute’s silence in honour of her husband.
She had arrived at the chapel in the state Bentley, accompanied by her lady-in-waiting, Lady Susan Hussey. Both of them wore masks.
The vehicle paused briefly at the side of the customised Land Rover hearse and she was able to look upon the duke’s coffin in place, draped in his personal standard, and surmounted by his naval cap and sword. The wreath of white flowers placed on top of the coffin – lilies, roses, jasmine freesia, sweetpeas and waxflower – were chosen personally by the Queen.
The lady-in-waiting did not enter the chapel quire and was not one of the official mourners. Instead, the Queen was led to her seat by the dean of Windsor, the Rt Rev David Conner.
She departed, as she had arrived, in the Bentley. Other mourners returned to Windsor Castle on foot.
The Queen had personally signed off every detail of the service. It was a fitting and final honour for the man she has described as her “strength and stay”.
