Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has returned to royal duties 4 days after her husband Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh’s demise on April 9.
The 94-year-old monarch hosted an viewers with Earl Peel for his retirement as he formally stepped down as Lord Chamberlain, in command of organising royal ceremonies. During a personal occasion held at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, the Queen accepted her former royal aide’s wand and workplace insignia.
“Earl Peel had an audience of The Queen today, delivered up his Wand and Insignia of Office as Lord Chamberlain and the Badge of Chancellor of the Royal Victorian Order and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Lord Chamberlain, when Her Majesty invested him with the Royal Victorian Chain,” learn the main points within the Court Circular, a day by day checklist of the official occasions attended by the Queen and the royal household.
While the UK’s nationwide mourning after the passing of Prince Philip final Friday will run till the morning after his funeral at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Saturday, the royal household is observing two weeks of mourning. A royal official mentioned family members would proceed to undertake engagements “appropriate to the circumstances”.
Over the weekend, Prince Andrew the Queen’s son, mentioned his father’s demise had left an enormous void in his mom’s life. Earl Peel would have overseen the funeral preparations referred to as Operation Forth Bridge earlier than handing accountability to his successor every week earlier than his demise. Former MI5 spy chief Baron Parker has been in place as the brand new Lord Chamberlain since April 1 and might be in total cost of Saturday’s funeral.
Coronavirus lockdown measures imply solely 30 persons are in a position to attend the Royal Ceremonial occasion, which can embrace the Queen’s shut household. Inside the chapel, the royal household will put on face masks and preserve to social distancing guidelines. Under the plans launched by Buckingham Palace, the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin might be carried to the chapel on a specially-modified Land Rover, which he helped to design. His eldest son, Prince Charles the Prince of Wales and members of the royal household will participate within the procession on foot, instantly behind the coffin, along with employees from Prince Philip’s family.
Prince Harry has flown in from the US for his grandfather’s funeral. He, and older brother Prince William, had launched their tribute statements reflecting on the late Duke’s service because the longest-serving monarch’s consort in British historical past.
William mentioned the Duke’s “century of life was defined by service to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family”. “Like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ’til the end,” mentioned Harry.
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