Yahoo Finance The Queen returns to work after Prince Philip’s death
Four days after the death of Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth is back fulfilling her Royal duties. On Tuesday 13 April, the Queen hosted a retirement ceremony for one of her senior aides, marking her first in-person event since her husband’s passing.
The ceremony honoured Earl Peel (formerly the Lord Chamberlain), her household’s most senior official, who is stepping down from his role. Though the Royal Family is observing a two-week mourning period for the late Duke of Edinburgh, an official acknowledged that the group “will continue undertaking engagements appropriate to the circumstances”.
The engagement, held at Windsor Castle, was detailed in the Court Circular, which records the Royal Family’s official daily events.
“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 announcement said, according to the Press Association.
The Queen’s only other known forthcoming engagement is the late consort’s funeral, which will take place this Saturday, 17 April at Windsor Castle. The ceremony will be small due to the Covid-19 restrictions, though it will be televised and photographed. Preceding services will be a procession around the castle’s grounds.
The Queen has not yet released a personal statement regarding her husband’s death, though the Royal Family shared a unified message immediately after the Prince’s death. It read:
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty the Queen announces 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. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
