Princess Beatrice reduced to tears as royal family pays emotional tribute to Prince Philip
Princess Beatrice, 33, was seen wiping away tears as she attended Prince Philip's memorial service at Westminster Abbey on the morning of March 29 with the Queen and other senior royals. She and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi had arrived at the service earlier, and she was seated next to her sister Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank. However, as the audience waited for the event to begin, Beatrice was visibly moved, reaching into her handbag for a tissue.
Beatrice would then be observed shielding herself from view by raising her programme. Despite paying millions out of court earlier this month to resolve a civil sexual assault allegation, her father, Prince Andrew, was present at the front and center for the event.
READ MORE
Princess Beatrice of York breaking down in tears. She was incredibly close to #PrincePhilip. You might recall that at the funeral, when she was leaving, she stopped, turned around to give “Grandpa” one last look in his coffin. Touching touching gesture. I’ve always liked her. pic.twitter.com/XF79hDCKKR
— vbspurs (@vbspurs) March 29, 2022
Andrew brought his mother into Westminster Abbey in his first public appearance since the settlement with his accuser Virginia Giuffre. The monarch proceeded slowly and cautiously to her seat, holding Andrew's elbow with her left hand and a walking stick with her right.
In a modest procession, they entered Poets Corner, a shorter route for the Queen's comfort. After traveling from Windsor together, the monarch's official vehicle arrived at Poets' Yard entrance with Andrew seated alongside her. They went slowly but steadily inside the abbey, both staring forward until they reached the end of the aisle when Andrew gave his mother a final glimpse as she turned right.
As those gathered—including royals from around the world, representatives from hundreds of charities and family members from Prince Philip’s side—sing the hymn “He Who Would Valiant Be”, the Queen (escorted by son Prince Andrew) takes her seat in Westminster Abbey. pic.twitter.com/BjrPsED0Fu
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) March 29, 2022
The Prince of Wales, Charles, leaned over to the Queen and spoke briefly with her as the service began. The Queen then fished her glasses out of her black Launer handbag. Andrew sat in the front row, close to his brother, the Earl of Wessex, and across the aisle from his other brothers, after stepping down from public life over his association with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Countess of Wessex were also present. It was also the first time Prince George and Princess Charlotte had attended a major public church ceremony in honor of their great-grandfather. Only 30 people were allowed to attend Philip's funeral due to Covid regulations and the Queen sat alone, disguised in sadness, in the Gothic chapel.
The monarch, 95, had been resolved to attend the extremely personal and momentous event on Tuesday in honor of her "strength and stay" Philip and her attendance had only been confirmed the morning before. Since giving a speech to the Welsh Senedd on October 14, this was the Queen's first big formal engagement outside of one of her homes in nearly six months.