After the sad passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, on April 9th, 2021, many fans of the royal family were curious about what exactly would happen next. While there is a protocol in place for the death of a royal family member, for many it came as a surprise to see Queen Elizabeth II breaking that protocol just four days after the death of her husband.
The Queen Breaks Protocol By Performing Royal Duties 4 Days After Prince Philip's Death
The Royal Family announced that Prince Philip had passed away through a statement made to social media.
"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss," the statement read.
Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth had been married since 1947.
Phillip was the longest-serving consort in British history, having gained the title in 1952, although he had stopped attending public engagements in 2017 at the age of 96.
The Royal Family also shared an emotional quote said by The Queen in 1997.
"He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt grater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know," they shared.
Prince William also shared an emotional statement to social media.
"My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family. I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – both through good times and the hardest days," he shared.
"I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her."
"I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!" he wrote.
"My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation."
"Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support The Queen in the years ahead. I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job."
It is standard protocol for The Queen to observe an 8 day period of mourning.
This would include putting all royal duties and engagement on pause during this period.
Her Majesty has opted to continue with at least one royal engagement, however, according to the Court Circular, the daily record of public duties of the monarchy.
It was reported that The Queen hosted a retirement ceremony as part of her royal duty.
Instagram | @theroyalfamily
"The Earl Peel had an audience of The Queen today, delivered up his Wand and Insignia of Office as Lord Chamberlain and the Badge of Chancellor of the Royal Victorian Order and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Lord Chamberlain, when Her Majesty invested him with the Royal Victorian Chain," the record reads.
Reportedly, this comes as no surprise to those closest to The Queen.
"Her family will step up and be by her side, but she will carry on," a former senior aide told People, "She understands that she has a job to do, and [Philip] would have wanted her to crack on."
"She did do so when he retired from public life," the aide continued.
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