Queen, 94, faces future without ‘strength and guide’ as Prince Philip, 99, dies after testing year for Royal Family

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THE QUEEN faces a future without her “strength and guide” after a testing year for the Royal Family.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been married to the Queen for 73 years and described as her constant strength, passed away “peacefully” at Windsor Castle this morning.

The Queen faces a future without her “strength and guide” after a testing year for the Royal Family
The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been married to the Queen for 73 years and described as her constant strength, passed away “peacefully” at Windsor Castle this morning

Philip had dedicated his life to the Queen and tragically died just before his 100th birthday in June this year.

In the past the Queen regularly described the Duke as her “constant strength” and “guide.”

The pair were described and “love matched” and married in 1947 at Westminster Abbey.

Now the Queen, for the first time in 73 years, will be forced to face the Family’s ups and downs without her rock by her side.

In the past the Queen regularly described the Duke as her “constant strength” and “guide.”

Philip had dedicated his life to the Queen and tragically died just before his 100th birthday in June this year

His death comes after a turmoil-filled 12 months for the royals after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry quit the royal family.

The firm were forced to cope with Harry’s alleged feud with his brother Prince William, as well as the backlash about the couple’s private jet journeys – despite the Sussexs speaking out on environmental issues.

Then came Megxit – which saw Harry and Meghan’s decision to move their lives to California, rather than stay in the newly refurbished Frogmore Cottage.

It comes as:

  • Prince Philip, 99, died at Windsor Castle this morning
  • Queen shared a poignant photo of Philip as she spoke of ‘deep sorrow’ over the loss of her husband of 73 years
  • Prince Philip funeral arrangements have been revealed
  • This Morning taken off air as Queen announces Philip’s death
  • Boris Johnson paid tribute to ‘extraordinary’ Prince Philip
  • The Duke of Edinburgh’s early years were remembered after he fled Corfu on a warship

In January, the Family faced the couples decision to step down as senior royals, and their dig at the Queen’s statement.

The statement read that the Queen had “written confirming that in stepping away from the work of the Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.”

But the Sussexes hit back saying: “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

The pair were described and “love matched” and married in 1947 at Westminster Abbey.

Plans for Prince Philip’s passing had been dubbed Operation Forth Bridge

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Most recently the Queen and her husband faced allegations that a member of the royal family is racist – after Meghan confined in Oprah Winfrey in a bombshell interview.

Meanwhile their son, Prince Andrew was forced to step back from official royal arrangements over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.

Now the Queen will have to face the aftermath of the year’s rollercoaster events – all the while mourning the loss of her husband.

Her Royal Highness is expected to enter 8 days of mourning for Prince Philip before he is set to be buried in Frogmore Gardens at Windsor Castle.

Her Majesty will not carry out any duties – even in private – and laws will not be given the Royal Assent as she grieves for the beloved Duke of Edinburgh.

According to reports, and in keeping with the Duke’s no-fuss public image, it is believed that he has asked not to be given a full state funeral.

Instead, it is thought that he has requested what will fundamentally be a military funeral, with a private service held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor and burial in Frogmore Gardens.

It is expected that only family members and a small number of heads of state will attend the service, and TV cameras will not be allowed inside the chapel, unlike for royal weddings.

The Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK as the world mourns his death.

Tributes have poured in from around the world for the hardest-working member of the Royal Family after serving his country for more than seven decades.

BBC radio stations immediately interrupted broadcasts with the news of his death and played the national anthem shortly after in a sign of respect.

Announcing the news, the official Royal Family website was replaced with a single page and heartfelt tribute to the Duke. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute and said “he helped to steer the Royal Family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.”