The Prince has been by the Queen's side for 73 years, since their wedding in 1947.
Prince Philip died at the age of 99 after months of being unwell. While his death was expected, the public and the royal family are struggling to deal with the loss.
According to People, Queen Elizabeth's daughter-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex recalled Philip's final moments. She also tearfully updated the public on how the queen was coping up with the demise.
After attending a church service at Windsor, Sophie told reporters, "It was right for him. It was so gentle. It was just like somebody took him by the hand and off he went. Very, very peaceful. And that's all you want for somebody isn't it?"
Previously, she had told the media that the "Queen has been amazing" amid the loss. Other sources close to the royal household also confirmed the same. They claimed that the Queen was wired to stay calm despite losing her husband of 73 years.
Charles Anson, former press secretary to the Queen stated that the monarch saw it coming as Philip suffered from different health issues. "She would have thought about this moment several times, and her way would be to remain as steady and as calm as possible. That comes naturally to her through her temperament and her experience," said Anson, according to People.
“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 Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 10, 2021
-Her Majesty The Queen, 1997. pic.twitter.com/wbSldSavNA
He further added, "In my years of working for her she was always calm, no matter what was going on. But for any human being, this is a very cathartic moment."
Recounting Prince Philip's devotion to the Queen, Anson stated that he served her earnestly. "There were some things they had to deal with together that were difficult, but it was a long marriage with a great deal of happiness. He took very seriously his role as a support for the Queen as monarch," he said.
Further, he credited the late royal for being an excellent support system to the Queen for decades.
"He was a natural of his generation to be at his wife's side. He very quickly came to terms to watching to be in that role of support as well as running his own life," said Anson.
Though Philip will no longer be around to be her pillar of strength, Anson claimed that the other members of the royal family will come together to offer her the strength and comfort she requires. "She has an enormous amount of family support for her and will also take comfort from the enormity of the support from all over the world," said Anson.
According to Fox News, a post shared to the royal family's social media account showcased the gratitude Queen Elizebeth had towards her husband. "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," she said of Prince Philip in 1997.
“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 Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 10, 2021
-Her Majesty The Queen, 1997. pic.twitter.com/wbSldSavNA
Buckingham Palace confirmed the death of Prince Philip on April 9, 2021, with a statement. "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle." His funeral is scheduled for April 17, 2021.
References:
https://people.com/royals/prince-philip-final-moments-peaceful-says-daughter-in-law-sophie/
https://people.com/royals/queen-elizabeth-prepared-for-prince-philip-death-former-press-secretary/
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/palace-statement-prince-philip-death-queen-elizabeths-sorrow
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by (L) Photo by Dan Kitwood and (R) Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive