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Queen 'couldn't face' going to Prince Philip's funeral alone, paused for family's support: Body language expert

'There was one moment when she paused and turned around before entering the chapel and it looked terribly poignant, almost as though she couldn't face going in alone,' the expert said

No one could possibly imagine or know what exactly the Queen was going through when she sat alone during the funeral of Prince Philip, her husband of 73 years. However, a body language expert claims that the Queen looked like she "couldn't face going to the funeral alone" and wanted reassurance from her family.

Body language expert Judi James reportedly claims that in a brief moment when the Queen turned to look back at the funeral procession, it looked like she was seeking reassurance.

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The 94-year-old monarch arrived outside St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle to bid farewell to the Duke of Edinburgh. As her close aide stepped out of view before walking towards the door of the church, she was greeted by the Dean of Windsor. James reportedly suggested this might have been because the Queen was daunted by having to head into the chapel alone.

"There was one moment when she paused and turned around before entering the chapel and it looked terribly poignant, almost as though she couldn't face going in alone," James told Mail Online. "She turned for what looked like reassurance that her party was behind her."

A ceremonial gunshot could be heard ringing out after this. The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex followed the Queen into the chapel. Other royals including Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie then followed them in. The Queen was sitting alone in the pew, separated from her lady-in-waiting, as her husband's casket was carried in by pallbearers. Lady Susan Hussey, the Queen's 81-year-old lady-in-waiting, has served her for decades and the two share a strong connection. She was reportedly present in the chapel during the funeral but not as one of the 30 royal guests, instead as a member of Philip's household staff.

Although the mourning period for the nation has ended, the royal family will continue to grieve through this week. After almost 70 years as head of state, for the first time ever, the Queen will be reigning without her husband by her side.

What's next is the Queen's birthday is on April 21, when she will turn 95. However, it is highly likely that just like Prince Philip's funeral, this too will be a scaled-down event without any sort of celebration. Many fans and supporters of the royal family took to social media to share their sympathies and outrage over the fact that the Covid-19 restrictions meant the Queen had to sit alone during the heartbreaking event.

"This was heart wrenching to see our Queen sitting alone, head bowed saying her final goodbye to her husband HRH Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh," one user tweeted alongside a photo of the event. "If the sight of the Queen sitting alone and mourning her husband doesn’t touch your heart, then you have no heart. The end of the worlds best love story #QueenElizabeth," another user tweeted. Along similar lines, a user shared their sympathies. "Anyone who didn't have a thought for the Queen sitting alone there cannot have a heart."