A stoic Queen Elizabeth II sat alone in St George's Chapel at Windsor as she farewelled her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died last week aged 99.
In doing so, she experienced the heartache of millions around the world who've been kept apart from loved ones at times of great personal grief, due to COVID-19.
The Queen, dressed in black and wearing a black hat and face mask, sat quietly during the service with her head bowed.
While anyone else might have had a supportive hand to hold, the Queen had none.
Reuters: Jonathan Brady
)Just 30 mourners were permitted and only those in the same family bubble were allowed to sit together.
It meant Prince Harry also cut a lonely figure as he farewelled his grandfather.
There was no eulogy, but the Dean of Windsor, David Conner, paid tribute to the "most illustrious Prince."
"We remember the many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us," he told the congregation.
"Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humour and humanity."
At the conclusion of the service, God Save the Queen was sung by the choir of just four singers, as the monarch stood silently, with her head bowed.
It was a poignant moment – as the Queen grieved in public view, as a monarch, a mother and a wife.
Moments later, the body of her husband of 73 years was lowered into the royal vault.
Then, under sunny spring skies, the Queen returned to the castle, where she and Prince Philip had spent their last year together.
A simple service, by the Duke's design
The Duke of Edinburgh didn't want an elaborate state funeral.
He didn't want a eulogy either.
However, aspects of his personality and interests were reflected throughout the service and there was no shortage of tradition on show.
Hundreds of members of the armed forces took part in the short procession from Windsor Castle, in a nod to his proud history of service in the Royal Navy.
The duke, a motoring enthusiast, helped design his own Land Rover which transported his coffin to the chapel.
The coffin itself was draped in his personal flag – known as his royal standard — with his naval cap and sword placed on top.
Reuters: Alastair Grant
)Bible readings and music that told of the beauty of nature and the power of the seas were selected for the service.
The duke, who was known for his love of adventure, selected many of them personally.
Prince William and Prince Harry put their differences aside to grieve for their grandpa.
The duke's grandsons both took part in the procession from the castle to the chapel.
They were separated by their cousin, Peter Phillips.
The palace refused to say whether their separation was in any way due to the rift that's broken out since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were stepping down as senior royals.
For a while, it appeared as if the pair may not have an opportunity to talk.
However, as they left the chapel, Prince Harry began chatting to the Duchess of Cambridge.
Then, as the royals walked back to the castle, the two brothers removed their masks and struck up a conversation, in one of the few informal moments of the day.
While the two men are on "different paths" according to Harry, today they were united by their love for their grandfather.
'I couldn't stay away'
The Royal family asked the public not to come to Windsor, due to the ongoing risk of COVID-19.
ABC News: Nick Dole
)However, some well-wishers, like Anita Atkinson, couldn't resist.
"I couldn't stay away," she told the ABC.
Ms Atkinson, who was wearing a face mask and shirt featuring the duke's image, travelled five hours from County Durham for the funeral.
She said the image of the Queen sitting alone was "absolutely horrendous".
"The Queen has a lonely role anyway," she said.
"The one person she could confide in … was her husband, the prince."
She said she was confident in the Queen as a monarch, but worried for her as a widow.
"She'll carry on because she's the Crown."
"[But] what happens when she's alone at night?"
Fiona and Geoff Try, who live in Windsor, said the duke had become part of the community.
In his younger years, he would often be seen driving his carriage through the streets.
"He was a local boy," Ms Try said.
She said the duke would be remembered not just as the Queen's consort, but as a leader in his own right.
"I think the things that he's actually influenced in the UK but [also] worldwide including in Australia with the Duke of Edinburgh's award is fantastic."
ABC News: Nick Dole
)Londoner Kaya Mar also stood outside the castle, holding a portrait he painted of the duke on the day he died.
He said the duke would be "missed a lot".
"He was a good public servant. He was a colourful man. And he was the glue for the royal family," he said.
Toasting the duke at the 'other' Windsor Castle
Just down the road from the real Windsor Castle, locals were raising a glass to the beer-loving duke at the Windsor Castle Pub.
Parker and Mandy Humbert and their sons Judah and Ezra, watched the funeral on television through the pub window.
ABC: News: Roscoe Whalan
)Mr Humbert said his family wanted to commemorate a life well lived.
"Nobody's shocked when a 99-year-old dies," he said.
"So I think it's less mourning and probably more of a celebration … and letting the boys be part of it as well."
The pub's manager, Tony Dawson, said the duke would often be seen with his horses near the pub, and locals would wave to him.
"He was always a generous man to give a good wave back," Mr Dawson told the ABC.
"We will dearly miss him."
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTA0LTE4L3RoZS1xdWVlbi1zaXRzLWFsb25lLWFzLXNoZS1mYXJld2VsbHMtcHJpbmNlLXBoaWxpcC1mdW5lcmFsLzEwMDA3Njk5MtIBKGh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMDAwNzY5OTI?oc=5
2021-04-17 21:02:52Z
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