By Lakshmipriya
LONDON, April 17 – The stream of flowers, big bouquet, single stalks, placed at the Buckingham Palace never stopped from the day the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and the husband of Queen Elizabeth 11, was announced on the morning of April 9. He was 99 and only two months short of his 100-years of birthday.
Thousands of people were seen laying flowers in Prince Philip’s memory at the palace every day. He was among the popular of the members of the royalty. He was very close to the hearts of many Britons and he will be dearly missed for generations to come. He was known to be a tough minded and quick-tempered man who spent 65 years supporting his wife, Queen Elizabeth II in a position that both defined and restricted his life.
Today, on April 17, he was given a grand but quiet send off following a funeral service that began at 3pm UK time at the Windsor Castle. The Queen, was joined at the service by their children-Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, as well as other members of the royal family including his grandchildren. Only a crowd of 30 was allowed in for the service in keeping with the COVID-19 precautions.
From being born as a member of the Greek royal family, which was soon to be deposed, then later restored, but eventually abolished to being Britain’s longest serving royal consort, Prince Philip’s life has been nothing short of a colourful one.
He was famous for his occasionally offensive comments (he once told a British student who was studying in China “if you stay here much longer you’ll be all slitty-eyed” during a royal visit to China). He has fulfilled more than 20,000 royal engagements to boost British interests both at home and abroad.
He has also headed hundreds or charities and has founded the very famous youth awards programme called the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award that has helped many young children across 144 nations.
He will be remembered as a husband who, at least in the public eye, was for most part gracious in his acknowledgement of his wife’s priority.