On Tuesday, the British royal family gathered for a memorial service for Prince Philip, who died in April last year, 99 years old.
Limited funeral
Because Prince Philip died during the pandemic, funerals must be limited to a maximum of 30 participants, in addition to the fact that singing is prohibited in churches.
– This is a 45-minute service, which in some ways replaces funerals, as only 30 people were allowed to participate in them during last year’s pandemic, Trond royal expert Norén Isaksen told TV 2 Nyhetskanalen today.
SAY GOODBYE TO THE HUSBAND: Queen Elizabeth during a ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London. Photo: RICHARD POHLE / AFP
Queen Elizabeth (95) was actively involved in planning the event. She and Prince Philip were married for 73 years.
Now the guest list is about 1800 participants, including several European royals, current and former prime ministers, relatives and friends, as well as some representatives of the many organizations in which Prince Philip was active throughout his life.
First official assignment
Among those in attendance were Prince George and Princess Charlotte, the children of Prince William and Duchess Kate. They performed their first official duties at the ceremony.
Watch the video of Prince George and Princess Charlotte below.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, were not present due to an ongoing lawsuit against the British state, which believes Prince Harry is no longer allowed to buy police protection while he is in the UK. Therefore, the prince felt that it was not safe enough for him to attend today’s memorial service.
Unfortunately, King Harald and Queen Sonja had to cancel due to King’s coronary heart disease which was discovered last week.
In addition, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Williem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, as well as King Philippe and Queen Letizia of Spain, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and Prince Albert of Monaco.
Accompany: Prince Andrew leads the queen from the car into the church. Photo: RICHARD POHLE / AP
Queen Elizabeth was accompanied by Prince Andrew who made his first official appearance after a settlement was reached in the abuse case Virginia Duffrey brought against him.
It is also Queen Elizabeth’s first official appearance since October 14 last year.
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