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As it happenedended

Prince Philip memorial: Westminster Abbey service ends after Queen attends with Prince Andrew

Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince Andrew, Prince William and Kate Middleton attended the service to remember the Duke of Edinburgh

Kate Ng
Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:45 BST
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Queen Elizabeth arrives on Andrew’s arm to Prince Philip’s memorial service

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A memorial for the late Duke of Edinburgh has taken place at Westminster Abbey from 10.30am today, Tuesday 29 March.

The Service of Thanksgiving was held at Westminster Abbey and saw a 1,800-strong congregation gather to honour Prince Philip’s life.

The Queen arrived at the service accompanied by the Duke of York, who also walked her down the aisle in the abbey to her seat. He then took his own seat in the front row of the congregation.

The service came after the 95-year-old head of state pulled out of the Commonwealth Day service earlier this month due to mobility issues, and has previously spoken about her struggle to move.

Earlier reports said the Queen was “determined” to be at the service. The Palace said she was actively involved in plans for the service, with many elements reflecting her wishes.

Follow our liveblog to get the latest updates on Philip’s memorial today.

Senior members of the royal family sit in the front row of the congregation at the memorial for the Duke of Edinburgh. The Queen, as well as the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are wearing emerald green, while many others in the congregation have donned royal blue for the event.

(Front row left to right) Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, The Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and Viscount Severn. (second row left to right) The Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, the Duchess of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, Isla Phillips, Savannah Phillips, Mia Tindall, Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall during a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey in London
(Front row left to right) Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, The Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and Viscount Severn. (second row left to right) The Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, the Duchess of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, Isla Phillips, Savannah Phillips, Mia Tindall, Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall during a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey in London (PA)
Kate Ng29 March 2022 11:51

The Duke of Edinburgh’s best quotes

As we remember Prince Philip’s life, we remember some of the best things he’s ever said throughout his 99 years of life:

Prince Philip’s best quotes from 1921-2021

An estimated 1,800 people are expected to attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service

Kate Ng29 March 2022 12:00

Dean of Windsor pays tribute to ‘remarkable’ Prince Philip

The Duke of Edinburgh’s intellect, work ethic, sense of humour and devotion to his family were celebrated in an address by the Dean of Windsor.

Addressing the congregation in Westminster Abbey, The Right Reverend David Conner said: “He was practical, wanting to put flesh upon his dreams, and (acknowledging the limitations of living in this so-called ‘real world’) he devoted his astonishing intellectual and physical energy, his enormous capacity for sheer hard work, to a host of down-to-earth enterprises.

“These included the equipping of young people to face tomorrow’s challenges, the encouragement of respect and care for the natural order, and his pioneering work in facilitating conversation between representatives of the different world faiths.

“Through his passionate commitment, he drew others to himself in admiration and respect and, in the case of those who lived and worked most closely to him, genuine love.”

Mr Conner added: “He would hate to think that I should paint a picture of him as a ‘plaster saint’; someone without the usual human foibles and failings.

“He was far too self-aware ever to be taken in by flattery. Of course, it must be said that his life bore the marks of sacrifice and service.

“Certainly, he could show great sympathy and kindness. There is no doubt that he had a delightfully engaging, and often self-deprecating, sense of humour.

“It is quite clear that his mind held together both speculation and common sense. Moreover, nobody would ever doubt his loyalty and deep devotion to our Queen and to their family.

“Yet, there were times when he could be abrupt; maybe, in robust conversation, forgetting just how intimidating he could be.

“A kind of natural reserve sometimes made him seem a little distant. He could be somewhat sharp in pricking what he thought to be bubbles of pomposity or sycophancy.

“On the other hand, we should not forget that he himself was sometimes wounded by being unfairly criticised or misunderstood.”

Concluding his address, the dean said: “As we give thanks for the life of a remarkable man, perhaps our greatest tribute to him, most especially in these far too troubled times, will be for us to accept the challenge, implicit in his life, to rekindle in our hearts something of that call, and to pray (as I think he did) for the inspiration and the guidance to play our part, however small, in working for a kinder future.”

PA

Kate Ng29 March 2022 12:05

Princess Charlotte praised for her confidence at memorial

Princess Charlotte, the second child of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s, has been praised for her confidence as she greeted people inside Westminster Abbey.

The six-year-old arrived with her parents and her older brother, Prince George, for the memorial of her great-grandfather.

Kate Ng29 March 2022 12:20

The service has now finished, with the congregation singing the rousing “Guide Me, O Thou Redeemer”, followed by the national anthem, to wrap it up.

It was the Duke of Edinburgh’s wish that the hymn be sung at his funeral.

Kate Ng29 March 2022 12:22

Prince George and Princess Charlotte make rare public appearance

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s two elder children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, have made a rare public appearance at Prince Philip’s memorial.

However, the couple’s youngest child, Prince Louis, was not in attendance.

Laura Hampson reports:

Kate Ng29 March 2022 12:29

The sweet meaning behind the flowers chosen for Prince Philip’s memorial

Westminster Abbey has given us a bit of background on the flower arrangements chosen to honour the Duke of Edinburgh today.

The abbey’s official Twitter account posted photographs of the flowers, which include roses, carnations, eryngium (sea holly) and dendrobium orchids.

The colours of each floral arrangement included shades of red, white and blue.

But there is a hidden meaning in the flowers that were chosen. According to Westminster Abbey, orchids “featured in The Queen’s wedding bouquet”, whilst sea holly “echoes The Duke’s career in the Navy and affection for the sea”.

Kate Ng29 March 2022 12:30

Royal fans feel for the Queen as she appears emotional during rendition of ‘God Save The Queen'

Viewers who tuned into BBC One’s coverage of Prince Philip’s memorial were touched when the Queen appeared to become emotional when the national anthem was sung.

Some people said they noticed “tears in her eyes”, while others said that watching Her Majesty during the service made them emotional too.

Kate Ng29 March 2022 12:36

Queen leaves Westminster Abbey

The Queen has now left Westminster Abbey. She was pictured being helped into her car by the Duke of York, whom she arrived at the memorial with.

Queen Elizabeth II is helped into her car by her son Prince Andrew, right, after attending a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip
Queen Elizabeth II is helped into her car by her son Prince Andrew, right, after attending a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip (AP)
Kate Ng29 March 2022 12:40

All eyes on Kate Middleton’s Alessandra Rich dress

The Duchess of Cambridge continued to show off her style chops, arriving at the memorial in a flowy polka dot gown by Alessandra Rich.

Olivia Petter has the details:

Kate Ng29 March 2022 13:00

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