Queen returns to work 4 days after Prince Philip's death, Covid-19 rules may force her to sit alone at funeral
A stoical Queen returned to attend to her royal duties on Tuesday, only four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip. The 94-year-old monarch hosted a retirement ceremony for the former Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel on Tuesday, an event which came soon after her husband of 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, died on Friday at Windsor Castle.
The family announced a two-week period of royal mourning, as touching tributes came in from across the nation for the duke, the Daily Mail reported on Tuesday. But, in a move that the Queen's refrained from such things and instead stuck to her deep sense of duty, as she returned early to bid farewell to Peel, a key royal aide who is retiring after 14 years of service at the Palace. Peel's was the seniormost officer role in the royal household, and he had been overseeing arrangements for the duke's funeral, which is being called Operation Forth Bridge.
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After attending morning service at The Royal Chapel of All Saints, The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Lady Louise met Windsor Estate workers to thank them for their support, particularly over the last few days. pic.twitter.com/uSUVQN2Jbo
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 11, 2021
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, said his mother has been stoical and that the family has been trying to support her. Members of the family were asked to continue to "undertake engagements appropriate to the circumstances," a royal official said. Prince William, Princess Anne, all gave their tributes.
According to the Daily Mail, the Queen may have to sit apart from family members during her husband's funeral, following strict Covid-19 guidelines. The current rule state that anyone attending a funeral must stay at least two meters apart from those not belonging to their household, except when in a "support bubble". The Queen, however, does not qualify for the support bubble, since she does not live on her own, and is, instead, supported by a team of royal aides known as the 'HMS Bubble'.
As other members of the royal family are living in other royal residences, according to the report, it means that the Queen will most likely have to sit at least two meters away from those attending the funeral, according to the Telegraph. Royal sources said in the paper's report that the Queen is slated to be alone at the funeral service until a member of the Windsor bubble decides to join her.