LONDON (AP) – Queen Elizabeth II is royal again, four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, when preparations for the ceremonial funeral were heightened over the weekend.
The 94-year-old British monarch on Tuesday attended a retirement ceremony for a senior royal official, according to the Court Circular, the official report of royal engagements.
The royal family is considering two weeks of mourning for Philip, who passed away on Friday at the age of 99. The palace said members of the royal family would ‘make appointments appropriate to the circumstances’ during the mourning period.
The Queen attended a ceremony at Windsor Castle for Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel, who retired as the highest official of the royal household. He oversaw the arrangements for the funeral of Prince Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, until he handed over to his successor days before the Duke’s death.
The Queen and Philip’s daughter, Princess Anne, appeared in public on Wednesday, visiting young sailors at the Royal Yacht Squadron Sailing Club on the Isle of Wight on the English south coast.
Philip’s funeral will take place on Saturday in Windsor Castle, with limited attendance up to 30 due to coronavirus restrictions.
Officials from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force are taking part in the funeral procession, and Philip’s coffin will be transported to St. Petersburg on a specially adapted Land Rover, which he designed himself.
Since Philip’s death, his four children have all paid homage, as have grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry.
Another granddaughter, Princess Eugenie, paid tribute to her “dearest grandfather” in an Instagram post on Wednesday. The younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, shared memories of her grandfather to ‘learn to cook, paint, what to read’.
“I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the Navy,” Eugenie wrote. ‘I remember that I burned the sausage and that you jumped in to save the day. I remember your hands and your laughter and your favorite beer.
‘I will remember you in your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“Thank you for your dedication and love for all of us and especially for Grandma, who we will take care of.”