It is probably one of the most difficult days of Queen Elizabeth. On this April 17, she buries Prince Philip, her husband for more than seven decades. Subjected to a strict protocol, she has once again responded to the traditions.
How to recover from such a loss? The queen had one love. Since she was thirteen, when she fell in love with young Philip, Prince of Greece and Denmark, her heart beat only for him, the man who later shared her life for 73 years. Today, Elizabeth II buries the father of her four children, who was her rock, the one without whom she would not have managed, in her own words, to keep all the commitments required by her office.
Arrived at the side of the procession that followed the coffin of her husband, the queen appeared tiny, bending under the weight of this pain that we imagine immense. Dressed entirely in black, from her hat to her coat, including her pumps and tights, as required by protocol, she took a few steps towards the chapel where the ceremony paying tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh was held, in the presence of thirty hand-picked guests, starting with Prince Harry, her grandson exiled in California, whom she had not seen for a year.
Queen Elizabeth II at the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Queen Elizabeth II and this discreet sign addressed to Meghan and Harry
Like many of the guests, the Queen had chosen to wear a symbolic piece of jewelry. Pinned on her coat, her brooch attracted all the eyes. And if the Queen is a bereaved widow, she is also a woman whose destiny is subject to years of history, as evidenced by this jewel that belonged to her mother. But the most important symbol is perhaps this message addressed to this grandson with whom she wishes to sign the appeasement.
Indeed, it is this same brooch, she who owns so many, that she wore on the day of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, when the young woman joined the royal family in joy. In an aniseed-colored coat and hat, the Queen participated in this day that marked the beginning of a beautiful story, and the near birth of Archie, this new great-grandson that she has not seen for so long. Prince Harry, who was seen close to his brother William and Kate Middleton at the end of the ceremony, will he get the message?
Photo credits: Agency / Bestimage