The queen says goodbye to Philip, continues her reign alone

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By DANICA KIRKA and JILL LAWLESS

WINDSOR, England (AP) — Sitting by herself at the funeral of Prince Philip on Saturday, Queen Elizabeth cut a regal but solitary figure: still the monarch, but now alone.

The queen sat apart from family members at the simple but somber ceremony at Windsor Castle, in accordance with strict social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic. But if the ceremony had been for anyone else, at her side would have been her husband of 73 years, who gave a lifetime of service to the crown.

Wearing a face mask, the queen was dressed all in black, except for the diamond brooch that flashed on her left shoulder — a piece she had often worn on engagements with her husband.

The monarch’s four children — Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — sat nearby, as did the queen and Philip’s eight grandchildren. The stripped-back service made their loss somehow more personal for people who often live their lives in public.



Britain's Queen Elizabeth II sits alone in St. George’s Chapel during the funeral of Prince Philip, the man who had been by her side for 73 years, at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021. Prince Philip died April 9 at the age of 99 after 73 years of marriage to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. (Jonathan Brady/Pool via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/prince-philip-england-coronavirus-pandemic-prince-harry-royalty-c3ba1f44b38475dc0d5d19e74eb50739

[no_hypocrisy]

1. IMO, not necessarily alone.

I believe The Queen will now make Charles more active in her reign, in the tradition of making him an advisor and an apprentice to the throne.

[Peregrine Took]

2. She should step down to do charity work and give Charles his chance.

He is quite an environmentalist and I'd like to see what he would do as King.

[NotHardly]

15. You are incorrect... Elizabeth II can and will be the crown until she joins her prince.

In her coronation, Elizabeth II swore to a war ravaged, hungry, and desperate people recovering from the war. You might have also missed the history part where no one of the Royal family fled to the out country while London was being bombed. Her father, the King, had received the thrown when Edward abdicated and the country was under direct threat and attack.

At her coronation, Elizabeth II, knowing her citizens, knowing the history of the UK, knowing that all that had been ravaged needed to rebuild... she swore on her oath, on a bible, and to every citizen in the UK that she would serve honorably and faithfully all the days of her life.

She did not lie and still she serves, and serves with more grace and honor than the vast majority will never know.

[Hekate]

22. Not enough people know that is why she still serves & will not abdicate

Thank you

[canetoad]

27. When it was suggested to the Queen's mother

That Elizabeth and Margaret should be sent to safety in Canada she replied, "The children will not go without me, I will not go without the King and the King will never go."

[jimfields33]

3. I know this won't happen, but I'd rather william take King

I think it stands a better survival that way.

[pnwmom]

13. Why does the monarchy need to survive, from an American point of view?

This is the same monarchy we revolted against.

[jimfields33]

20. Britain itself didn't though

Only those that were against it left and came to the United States. The rest of the population accepted the monarch.

[pnwmom]

23. My question was why should any American care about the monarchy surviving.

If the monarchy falls, they'll still have parliament and their Prime Minister. The Monarchy isn't supposed to interfere in politics anyway.

[mwooldri]

38. England tried a Republic. It didn't last. NT

There are some republics (e.g. Ireland) where the president, though elected, is a ceremonial figure and has no real power. The UK monarchy is a throwback to days gone by, but in its present form is like a ceremonial presidency except that the monarchy isn't voted on and the winners are via the gene pool lottery. Plus the Americans have a nice phrase "if it ain't broke don't fix it". The UK monarchy isn't broke. It does its job.

Plus the English will joke around April 1st that the Queen is taking back America. Won't happen. Plus I wouldn't advocate a monarchy for America. And if a certain ex president ever became King of America I'd happily vote to abolish THAT monarchy. Which can happen any time with the UK monarchy, if it misbehaves.

[pnwmom]

44. My question is still why Americans (or as you call us, "the Americans") should care.

If the monarchy falls apart because Charles, for example, is unpopular, and Britain is left with its parliament and Prime Minister, why should Americans care?

The fact that a Republic didn't last long ago doesn't say much about current circumstances.

[Happy Hoosier]

45. Well not really "the same."

The modern monarchy is mostly a cultural/historical institution.

It doesn't have any real political power.

It's not that it "needs" to survive from an American point of view. But a great deal of British national identity is derived from the Monarchy. Not to mention a shedload of tourism. Go to Windsor, or Buckingham Palace on a nice summer day..... THOUSANDS of tourists.

[pnwmom]

48. It's basically an expensive mascot, right? n/t

[Happy Hoosier]

50. I'd say "profitable" rather than expensive.

I'm 100% sure the net result is a positive to the economy. Royals tourism is big business.

[pnwmom]

52. Then why were they telling Harry they couldn't afford security for them anymore,

and why did they tell Meghan she should keep her job for that same reason?

I guess they just wanted to keep their profit margin high.

[Happy Hoosier]

53. Because the profits don't translate directly to the Royals' budget, of course.

Those go into the general fund as taxes/VAT (and individuals pockets as income).

[pnwmom]

54. But there's no reason the budget couldn't be expanded. I'm sure Harry and Meghan

were responsible for their fair share of the profits.

[Happy Hoosier]

55. I'm sure they were....

But the budget is set by Parliament.

Also, I expect the decisions were not entirely based on the budget.

[roamer65]

5. Charles as king is not an appealing thought.

I hope she outlasts him and it passes to William.

I think there will be many countries who consider leaving the commonwealth if Charles is king.

[Blasphemer]

14. The Queen may live another 10 years so he will only be king for about 20 years. nt

[efhmc]

16. This is the most anachronistic, racist, money laundering stupidity ever. Why is it still around.

[SunSeeker]

32. It is pretty stupid. But Brits love their anachronistic traditions.

I guess it reminds them of when they were the most powerful empire in the world. Kinda like how some Americans want the US to go back to the 1950s. It’s all a way to deny reality.

[Treefrog]

35. Which countries will do that?

[roamer65]

60. There have been rumblings from Australia about a republic in the past.

[BobTheSubgenius]

24. Charles is aside from the line of succession. He can advise, but he can never be coronated.

William is the heir apparent.

[Drunken Irishman]

29. This just isn't true. Charles will be King unless he passes before Queen Elizabeth.

He is next in line. William after him.

Therefore, he is the heir apparent.

[ShazzieB]

33. What are you talking about?

Charles is next in line, as Drunken Irishman says. Always has been, always will be. Not sure why anyone would think he can't be coronated. That's wildly inaccurate

William is second in line, after his father. When Charles takes the throne, William will become Prince of Wales and move up to first in the line of succession.

[Treefrog]

36. You're completely wrong about that.

[Happy Hoosier]

46. EEERRRRRR.. Wrong.

Charles is the Prince of Wales. He is the heir.

[OnlinePoker]

31. I expect she'll do another year and then step down.

Philip stopped his various crown related activities when he turned 96 and she'll turn that next April. You never know, though. In a lot of cases, spouses don't live for long when they've been married for such a long time and lose their partner. I hate to think of the loss Jimmy or Rosalynn Carter will experience when the other passes.

[Happy Hoosier]

51. Or she'll fade fast.

Not unusual for grief to take it's toll.

Phillip was a flawed man, but I think the Queen genuinely love him, and I expect this is hitting her hard.

[TomWilm]

4. She might get picked up quick by a new suitor ...

... such a wealthy widow is in high demand .

[arlyellowdog]

9. Thank you

As a widow of advanced age, that made me laugh.

[NH Ethylene]

19. Yeah and she's a real cougar!

[sheilahi]

41. rumors

Yeah, rumor has it that on her way home she was signing up for Match.com. Too soon?

[hlthe2b]

6. THat is so emblematic of the time--COVID Separation, but at least she was able to have a funeral

Still, I find that photo quite poignant.

[eTXwLA]

7. What a lonely and powerful picture.

My condolences to Her Royal Majesty. Losing your best friend of 70+ years has to be miserable, even when you're the Queen. RIP Duke. Thank you for your service.

[Kaleva]

8. +1. It is a powerful picture.

[rpannier]

10. My grandparents were married 63 years

My grandmother wasn't devastated when he died - because he had been ill for a year and wasted away slowly
But, it was still incredibly hard on her even with so much family living near her and willing to help with what she needed
It's got to be difficult for her
The picture is haunting

[pandr32]

12. +1

[BobTheSubgenius]

25. Possibly especially when you're the Queen.

She doesn't have pals she can kick back with and share a couple of bottles of zinfandel, air their issues, maybe have a few laughs, and bitch about people that are irking them. She has as solitary life as one can have, surrounded by so many people, most of whom are, no offence, bit players.

[Deminpenn]

39. One of the CNN correspondents said the Queen has found

comfort from walking her Corgi dogs every day.

[colorado_ufo]

11. Consider this extraordinary woman's life.

She was made Queen of England so young and so unexpectedly, lived through World War II and bombings, survived one crisis after another, and always put her country first. And now, the loss of her constant steady companion and support of 73 years.

Many deride all the pomp and ceremony of the monarchy, but there is much to appreciate in its art and heritage. It is a link to history and a foundation on which to build a future.

We of this age are too quick to throw things away.

[Deminpenn]

40. Found the funderal fascinating to watch

I believe I heard that Windsor Castle was built in 1066 and then thought about all the history in those intervening years. Yes, it was a lot of pomp and circumstance but captivating none-the-less. I can see why the UK and Commonwealth Nations still adore their monarchy.

[marybourg]

43. Not only did she *live* through WWII, she put on a uniform

and became a jeep mechanic and driver.

[colorado_ufo]

59. Yes, she did!

And she refused to leave Buckingham Palace during the bombings.

The movie, The Queen, was great!

[calimary]

17. OMG - Danica Kirka! I used to work with her at the AP!

Nice gal. We got along. Young, back then, but then again, so was I!

She worked hard. Must be at the London bureau.

It seems a LOT of observers noticed what so many of us here did: the Queen, looking so small and frail, sitting there alone, by the coffin of her husband of 73 years...

I only have to think about that image for a moment or two, and I start getting choked up.

[TomDaisy]

18. time to retire instead of bitterly continuing to kick your son to the curb who

should have been king decades ago.

[BobTheSubgenius]

26. Way too late for THAT pony to be ridden.

He renounced the throne when he married Camilla.

[marybourg]

28. No. I think you're confusing him with his great-uncle Edward III,

who renounced the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. Charles is still thePrince of Wales and heir apparant.

[ShazzieB]

34. He didn't do any such thing!

Renounce the throne? Not just no, hell no. Don't forget, the reason his mother is queen is because her uncle abdicated, which created a huge crisis in the country as a whole and in the Royal family. She'd never speak to Charles again if he even considered such a thing (which he didn't need to do, anyway).

She swore at her coronation to serve her people all the days of her life. She means to keep that promise, and I'm sure she fully expects Charles to do the same.

[Treefrog]

37. You've really got hold of the wrong end of the stick here.

He is next in line to the throne. He will be king when the queen dies.

[Botany]

21. No snark here. I wish Elizabeth well and may she find some comfort. She has to hurt.

99 is one hell of a run. I don't think I would want to go that long.

BTW she should retire now and give Chuck sometime being the King.

[ornotna]

30. Anyone can leave condolences at the Royal website.

The life of The Duke of Edinburgh

https://www.royal.uk/life-duke-edinburgh

Tab on the right.

[twodogsbarking]

42. May he rest in peace

and may we now have the peace of not watching any of this on television.

[demigoddess]

47. a person is crowned not coronated. If you are going to comment on British royalty,

please speak English.

I believe Charles wll be crowned unless he is too old and has signs of dementia or another health problem.

[marybourg]

57. Thank you.

[Marthe48]

49. No matter the lifetime of public service and exposure

in the end, Queen Elizabeth II is human and has suffered a human loss.

Not a single one of us is getting off the planet alive. We need to remember that as we live our lives.

[Beringia]

56. Did you know Prince Philip's mother Alice

had 3 sisters that married German nazis. And that she had a breakdown and was institutionalized by her family against her will and she eventually signed herself out. She had ideas that she was the bride of Christ and she did become a Orthodox Russian nun and helped feed the hungry. She also gave safe haven to a Jewish family during the nazi reign.

Prince Philip was practically an orphan but taken care of by his aunts and uncles.

[TexasBushwhacker]

58. He was apparently frugal til the day he died

He would get his shoes resoled rather than getting new ones. He still had the shoes he wore at his wedding to Elizabeth.