Queen Elizabeth Sits Alone At Prince Philip's Funeral In Heartbreaking Image

The queen was married to her "strength and stay," the Duke of Edinburgh, for 73 years.
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Queen Elizabeth said her final goodbyes to her beloved husband of over 70 years, Prince Philip, at a funeral service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Saturday.

She arrived at the chapel in a state Bentley alongside her lady in waiting, Lady Susan Hussey, before taking her seat.

An image of the grieving queen, seated alone in mourning dress before the service, captured hearts. The moving photo was taken by PA photographer Jonathan Brady, who said that it “was an honour” to work Prince Philip’s funeral from inside the chapel today.

“Though today was tinged with sadness, better times will come. Be safe,” he tweeted.

It clearly struck a chord with many.

Lewis Goodall, policy editor for BBC Newsnight, tweeted out another photo of the queen, seated by herself, and said: “This very moving image of the Queen having to sit alone is surely destined to be one of the photographs of the pandemic.”

The queen and Philip were married for 73 years. She once called the duke her “strength and stay” in a speech in honor of the couple’s golden wedding anniversary, marking 50 years together.

“He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know,” the queen said during the speech on Nov. 20, 1997.

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh during "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for the Queen's 90th birthday on June 12, 2016, in London.
Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh during "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for the Queen's 90th birthday on June 12, 2016, in London.
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Prior to the funeral service on Saturday, the royal family’s social media accounts shared on behalf of the queen a previously unseen photo of her and Philip together.

The photo was taken by Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, on the top of the Coyles of Muick, Scotland, in 2003, the caption said.

“Her Majesty and the Royal Family are grateful for all the messages of condolence from around the world and have been touched to see and hear so many people sharing fond memories of The Duke, in celebration of his life,” the caption added.

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The Duchess of Cambridge arrives, mask on, for the funeral.
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The Foot Guards Band are seen marching into position ahead of the funeral.
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Prince William seen leaving Kensington Palace, heading to Windsor for Prince Phillip's funeral.
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Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Prince William, Earl of Snowdon David Armstrong-Jones, Peter Phillips, Prince Edward, Prince Harry and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence before the funeral.
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The bearer Party found by The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, carry the coffin of Prince Philip to the purpose-built Land Rover hearse.
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Princess Anne, pictured during the Ceremonial Procession.
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The Prince of Wales and The Princess Royal follow the Land Rover Defender carrying the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin
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Members of the royal family follow the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin before his funeral on Saturday.
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The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with His Royal Highness’s Personal Standard, is seen on the Land Rover that he had helped modify for his funeral.
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Princes William (left) and Harry walk in the procession.
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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge arrive for the funeral.
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Ponies pull the Duke of Edinburgh's driving carriage at Windsor Castle.
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Prince Charles cries as he walks behind his father's coffin.
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The queen arrives for the service.
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Queen Elizabeth walking into the chapel.
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Queen Elizabeth takes her seat.
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The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with his Personal Standard, arrives at St George’s Chapel carried by a bearer party found by the Royal Marines.
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The Duchess of Cambridge waiting at St. George's Chapel.
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The coffin is carried into the quire during the funeral service.
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Queen Elizabeth II watches as pallbearers carry the coffin of Prince Philip.
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Prince William and Kate Middleton at St. George's Chapel during the service.
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The Duke of Sussex sits alone, in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, as he attends the funeral service of his grandfather.
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Sophie, Countess of Wessex, needs a tissue.
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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles sit during the funeral service.
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Images of the queen and the duke are displayed on screens at Piccadilly Circus in London while the funeral is held at Windsor.
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Princess Beatrice of York (right) and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, at St George's Chapel.
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A general view as members of the royal family attend the funeral at St. George's Chapel.
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Wreaths from members of the royal family lie against the pews during the funeral.
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Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank pictured in the pews.
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The Duchess of Cornwall departs after the funeral.
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Kate Middleton during the funeral of Prince Philip.

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