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Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin, King Charles III and Lord Chamberlain | Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II | Source: Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin, King Charles III and Lord Chamberlain | Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II | Source: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth Reunited with Prince Philip Who Once Knelt before Her as She Was Laid to Rest beside Him

Olawale Ogunjimi
Sep 20, 2022
01:30 P.M.
  • Queen Elizabeth has been laid to rest beside her longtime husband at The King George VI Memorial Chapel.

  • Prince Philip was buried in a different place before his remains were transferred and reunited with Queen Elizabeth.

  • The late Duke of Edinburgh once made a signifying gesture in deference to the Queen years after their marriage.

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The Longest reigning British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on September 8, 2022. Following her demise, a series of pre-planned activities to honor Her Majesty began, and members of the public and Royal Family members were fully involved.

On September 14, 2022, six days after the Queen's demise, the late monarch's coffin arrived at Westminster Palace, where she lay in state for a few days.

Queen Elizabeth II is seen at the Chichester Theatre while visiting West Sussex on November 30, 2017, in Chichester, United Kingdom. | Source: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II is seen at the Chichester Theatre while visiting West Sussex on November 30, 2017, in Chichester, United Kingdom. | Source: Getty Images

Then, on September 19, 2022, at about 6:30 a.m., the lying in state ended, and preparations for Queen Elizabeth's state funeral began.

By 11 a.m., the somber and historical ceremony in honor of Her Majesty kicked off at Westminster Abbey. It was the first state funeral in the United Kingdom for a monarch in over sixty years, the last for King George VI in 1952.

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Royal Family members lined up behind Her Majesty's coffin from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey during the procession.

Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she arrives in London, England, before the Flanders' Fields Memorial Garden Opening at Wellington Barracks on November 6, 2014. | Source: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she arrives in London, England, before the Flanders' Fields Memorial Garden Opening at Wellington Barracks on November 6, 2014. | Source: Getty Images

Prince William and Kate Middleton's children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, were not an exception despite their age, as they accompanied their parents to pay their respects to the late monarch.

According to reports, the young princess appeared to be tearing up during the event. She had been caught on camera holding her hand up towards her eyes, and it was assumed that she had burst into tears.

King Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince George, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte stand on a balcony during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on June 05, 2022, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

King Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince George, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte stand on a balcony during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on June 05, 2022, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

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Charlotte might not have been wiping tears from her eyes but cleaning something from her eyes or protecting her eyes from the sun's rays. Whatever the case, Queen Elizabeth's funeral service was undoubtedly an event that left many emotional.

Following the sad occasion, Her Majesty's coffin made its way to Windsor Castle, where she was buried with her husband and Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.

Details of Queen Elizabeth's Committal Service

After the state funeral where about 2000 people gathered to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth, a second ceremony occurred at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. It marked the first time the public witnessed a committal service for a monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II arrived to greet the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani at her Windsor residence on October 26, 2010, in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II arrived to greet the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani at her Windsor residence on October 26, 2010, in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images

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The event, which began at 4 p.m., saw Her Majesty's coffin move in procession into the Chapel and stop at the bottom of the West steps of the Chapel, where a guard of honor was placed.

However, keeping his words was not as easy as he thought. At some point, Philip reportedly questioned his life, role, and place in Queen Elizabeth's life.

The bearer party with the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is taken from Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

The bearer party with the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is taken from Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Afterward, the Dean of Windsor officiated the rest of the committal service. More than 800 people attended the service, with the occasion having a more intimate feel than the state funeral.

The guests present at the service included King Charles and other members of the Royal Family, past and present members of The Queen's household, Governors general, and Realm Prime Ministers.

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Later that evening, Queen Elizabeth finally joined her husband of 73 years after a private burial in The King George VI Memorial Chapel, a part of St George's Chapel. As Her Majesty's remains were lowered into the royal vault, the Dean of Windsor read a psalm and the commendation.

Queen Elizabeth II awaits the arrival of Turkey's President Abdullah Gul and his wife Hayrunnisa Gul at an official welcoming ceremony on November 22, 2011, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II awaits the arrival of Turkey's President Abdullah Gul and his wife Hayrunnisa Gul at an official welcoming ceremony on November 22, 2011, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Next, the Garter Principal King of Arms pronounced Queen Elizabeth's titles and styles. After his pronunciation, the late monarch's piper played a final lament, a salute to the Royal Fendersmith, before the Archbishop of Canterbury gave the final blessing.

While many would have loved to witness the Queen's burial, only the people closest to the late monarch could attend, as the event was considered a private ceremony.

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Queen Elizabeth was buried with her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth I, her sister, Princess Margaret, and her husband, Prince Philip.

Queen Elizabeth II Smiling As She Arrives At The Palace Of Westminster For The State Opening Of Parliament. | Source: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II Smiling As She Arrives At The Palace Of Westminster For The State Opening Of Parliament. | Source: Getty Images

The latter had been temporarily buried in the royal vault beneath the castle since his demise in April 2021. But his remains were eventually transferred to the King George VI Memorial Chapel to be buried by her side.

As Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip reunited even at their final resting place, the longest reigning royal couple laid its foundation on the day Her Majesty became Queen. Philip made a significant gesture to show his dedication to her.

Prince Philip, the Man for the Job

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In November 1947, Queen Elizabeth and Philip walked down the aisle in front of 2000 guests at Westminster Abbey. It was a big achievement for the late monarch, but it was an even bigger milestone for Philip.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip re-visit Broadlands to mark their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on November 20. | Source: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip re-visit Broadlands to mark their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on November 20. | Source: Getty Images

Tying the knot with the heir to the throne was no child's play, but Philip knew what he was getting into and was prepared for it. He had the support of many, including Queen Elizabeth's father, who believed the Duke of Edinburgh was the man for the job. On their wedding day, King George VI was reportedly heard telling a guest:

"I wonder if Philip knows what he is taking on. One day, Lilibet will be queen, and he will be a consort. That's much harder than being a king, but I think he's the man for the job."

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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrived to attend a State Banquet in Dublin Castle on May 18, 2011, in Dublin, Ireland. | Source: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrived to attend a State Banquet in Dublin Castle on May 18, 2011, in Dublin, Ireland. | Source: Getty Images

A few years later, in 1953, Philip proved his father-in-law right. During Queen Elizabeth's coronation, following King George's demise the previous year, the Duke of Edinburgh reportedly knelt before Her Majesty. He swore to be her "liege man of life and limb."

However, keeping his words was not as easy as he thought. At some point, Philip reportedly questioned his life, role, and place in Queen Elizabeth's life.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday at The Mall on June 12, 2016, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday at The Mall on June 12, 2016, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

But in the end, he found his way and remained by his wife's side until the end. They stayed married for over seven decades until Philip's death. Indeed, the Duke of Edinburgh was his wife's liege man of life and limb.

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