Queen planning to attend thanksgiving service for Prince Philip
The service will be held at Westminster Abbey, where the couple got married
Last updated 29th May 2022
Buckingham Palace has announced that the Queen is intending to attend and take part in a thanksgiving service for her late husband, Prince Philip.
The 95-year-old monarch has pushed to make an appearance during the memorial service alongside other members of the Royal Family.
A Palace spokesman said: "The Queen is currently intending to attend the service this morning."
The statement made by Buckingham Palace said that the decision to attend had been made just hours before the ceremony was to take place to honour the Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away in April last year.
As a result of a number of illnesses, including catching COVID in February, the Queen had retreated from royal duties to focus on her health.
But preparations are now in full swing to ensure that the Queen's journey to the Abbey is as smooth and hassle-free as possible, as mobility proves to be a problem for the monarch.
Prince Philip will be remembered at a special service beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Westminster Abbey, where the Duke and the Queen wed back in November 1947.
It comes after a more restricted funeral service last year, when coronavirus restrictions were in place, dampening commemorations for the Duke.
In total, over 1,800 people will be inside the Abbey during the memorial service, comprising of royals, friends and representatives of Prince Philip's patronages. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie will also be in attendance.
A look back at the Queen's marriage to Prince Philip:
The Royal Wedding
The newly married Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day. They married on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey, having announced their engagement in July 1946.
The Coronation
Waving from Buckingham Palace, this time as the newly coronated Queen and Consort of the Monarch. The Queen's coronation took place on 2 June 1953, following the death of her father, King George VI the previous year.
Silver Wedding Anniversary
Their Royal Highnesses celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary at Balmoral in Scotland in 1972.
The new millenium
Prince Philip kisses the Queen as they celebrate entering a new millennium. In the year 2000, they celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.
Duke of Edinburgh receives honour from Queen
In 2013, the Queen presented her husband, Prince Philip, with the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest honour. This was awarded alongside the Queen's birthday honours list in 2012, on the advice of the New Zealand Government.
Sharing a smile
The couple have been frequently caught sharing a smile or a laugh when carrying out visits and Royal duties. Their daughter-in-law, the Countess of Wessex once noted that the success of the pair's relationship was founded in laughter and support. She said: "they make each other laugh, which is half the battle, isn't it?"
Prince Philip's funeral
After 73 years of marriage, Prince Philip passed away aged 99. The Queen had to sit on her own for the funeral due to social distancing rules in place at the time. The Queen described the death of the Duke of Edinburgh as leaving "a huge void" in her life.