What is Queen's childhood nickname? Monarch's handwritten note on Prince Philip's coffin ends with pet name
Queen Elizabeth left a handwritten note for Prince Philip on his coffin, and she reportedly signed off with her childhood nickname that her husband used -- "Lillibet."
Her Majesty was forced to sit alone at her husband's funeral at St George's Chapel owing to pandemic restrictions, as the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin was draped in his personal standard and a wreath of white spring flowers of his wife's choosing. The casket also featured Philip's Admiral of the Fleet naval cap and sword, alongside the Queen's handwritten note "in loving memory" of her husband.
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The service, albeit scaled down due to the ongoing health crisis, was a deeply personal one for the Queen, and she carried a number of special mementos to honor the duke's memory. At the funeral, the monarch took comfort from the cherished belongings she shared with Prince Philip, including a photo of the couple when they had just married, and one of her husband's pocket squares that she carried in her handbag.
The Queen's handwritten note reading "in loving memory" was left on top of Philip's coffin during the service, which could only be attended by 30 mourners.
The card was tucked in among the flowers, making it difficult to determine whether the Queen signed it Elizabeth or her husband's nickname for her 'Lillibet'.
However, People magazine reported that it was the latter. The endearing sobriquet was originally given to her by her father, King George VI, after she was unable to pronounce her own name as a child.
Buckingham Palace, however, declined to comment on the contents of the Queen's note, saying it was "private."
Dressed all in black, including a matching face mask, the Queen appeared stoic as she was pictured in her royal Bentley before entering the chapel. She then sat alone at the front of the chapel and bowed her head in respect, as pallbearers placed her husband's coffin in front of her pew.
The Garter King of Arms proclaimed the Duke’s “styles and titles” as his coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault by an electric motor. This was followed by the naval call to arms, Action Stations, played at the request of Philip himself. According to Joe Little, the managing editor of Majesty magazine, the somber moment was "unique in British royal history."
Queen Elizabeth, who donned all black and wore a matching face mask for the occasion, appeared stoic and deep in thought as she entered St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The somber monarch was seen in one moving photo sitting alone in the vast chapel as she bid farewell to her loyal husband for one last time. She bowed her head in respect as Prince Philip's coffin was carried by pallbearers to be placed in front of her pew. The Queen, who will turn 95 next week, will now have to rule alone for the first time in her 69-year reign, according to The Sun.
Philip's coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault as the 50-minute service came to a conclusion in highly emotional scenes never aired on television before. However, the Royal Vault is not the duke's final resting place. His casket will eventually be buried next to that of the Queen's at Frogmore Gardens when she dies.