According to Prince Andrew, Her Majesty has stated to her family that Prince Philip’s death has “left a huge void.”
Following Sunday’s church service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, The Duke of York commented: “we’ve lost the grandfather of our nation.”
The Earl and Countess of Wessex and their daughter, Lady Louise, joined Andrew at Sunday’s service.
“It’s been a bit of a shock. However much one tries to prepare oneself for something like this, it’s still a dreadful shock,” The Earl of Wessex commented. He added: “But I have to say that the extraordinary tribute and the memories that everybody has had and been willing to share has been so fantastic.”
The Countess of Wessex, who was seen on Saturday visibly upset over her father in laws death in law, also commented on Sunday: “The Queen is “thinking of others before herself.”
Edward thanked everyone for tributes and condolences pouring in from across the world, adding: “They just mean so much, and the tributes have been just fantastic. That’s really, really important, and we really do appreciate it.”
During Sunday’s service, the Archbishop of Canterbury paid tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh, noting that HRH had a “remarkable willingness to take the hand he was dealt in life and straightforwardly to follow its call”.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, along with The Dean of Windsor, is scheduled to officiate at Prince Philip’s funeral.