Prince Philip’s memorial service at a glance
Prince Harry was the only top-level royal who did not attend Prince Philip's service which was organised by the monarch
March 29, 2022
A memorial for Prince Philip, which took place at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday, was attended by Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince Andrew, Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The Service of Thanksgiving saw a 1,800-strong congregation gather to honour Prince Philip’s life. The Queen arrived at the service accompanied by the Duke of York, who also walked her down the aisle in the abbey to her seat. He then took his own seat in the front row of the congregation.
Queen Elizabeth II defied fears over her health as she walked into Westminster Abbey for Prince Philip's memorial service today.
The 95-year-old paid a special tribute to her late husband. Aside from the dark green colour of her coat - which represented Prince Philip’s official livery colour - the Queen’s brooch also held significance.
One of the Duke of Edinburgh’s goddaughters Elizabeth Grubb, who flew from New Zealand to attend the service, was there with her son, Richard Rice-Grubb. She said that the Duke was a friend of her father’s after they served together in the Navy, adding that Prince Philips “would have been pleased” with the service held today.
Prince Harry was the only top-level royal who did not attend Prince Philip's service which was organised by the monarch.
Many fans of the Duke of Edinburgh have taken to Twitter to share their favourite moments and pictures of him throughout his life. Some people said they had met the Duke, resulting in standout memories, while others shared the things about Philip that they liked the most.
Author and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, who wrote the 2021 biography of the Duke of Edinburgh titled Philip: The Final Portrait, has said he thinks he has worked out why the Queen chose 29 March to hold a memorial for her late husband.
Prince Philip died on 9 April 202, but the Service of Thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey today comes several days before the actual date of his anniversary.
Brandreth’s theory as to why the Queen chose today instead of 9 April is that 29 March “is the anniversary of the Battle of Cape Matapan in 1941 during WWII when Prince Philip was serving on HMS Valiant”.
