The Queen’s heartbreaking last words to Prince Philip inside handwritten note at his funeral

The Queen penned a handwritten note that sat in a beautiful wreath on Prince Philip’s coffin

The Queen’s heartbreaking final words to her husband Prince Philip was revealed to be a beautiful wreath and handwritten note that was placed on his coffin.

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was the longest serving consort in British history. He passed away on April 9, 2021, and his funeral took place the following weekend.

At the time of his death, Elizabeth and Philip had been together for 73 years.
The Queen’s gift to her husband Prince Philip was a beautiful wreath and handwritten note (Credit: BBC)

The Queen’s handwritten note on Prince Philip’s coffin seen at his funeral

Her Majesty penned the black-edged card before tucking it into a hoop of stunning white flowers. The stunning wreath was made up of white lilies, small white roses, white freesias, white wax flowers, white sweet peas and jasmine.

Philip’s coffin was also draped with his personal standard before it was transported to St George’s Chapel on the back of a specially converted Land Rover.

The service took place on April 17, 2021, and scenes of the Queen left the nation heartbroken.

Aged 94 at the time, she had to sit alone in the chapel due to COVID restrictions.
The white wreath and note were placed on Prince Philip’s coffin (Credit: Splashnews.com)

What did the note say on Prince Philip’s coffin?

It is believed the card read: “In loving memory, Elizabeth.” Other reports, however, suggested the Queen signed it ‘Lilbet’. This is the nickname she was given as a child, and what Philip would call her.

Together with her card, it was placed on top of Prince Philip’s coffin.

They sat alongside the Duke of Edinburgh’s Admiral of the Fleet Naval cap and sword.

There were no photos of the inside of the Queen’s note to Prince Philip, likely being a private letter to her late husband after their long marriage.

They were doting parents to King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – who is now known as the Duke of Edinburgh.

After Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II married in 1947, she gushed over her new husband in letters to her parents and cousin. She described him as an “angel” and the “best and nicest man in the world”.

Philip himself was just as smitten, saying ahead of their big day: “I am sure that I do not deserve all the good things that have happened to me… to have fallen in love, completely and unreservedly.”

At their golden wedding anniversary celebration 50 years later, Elizabeth said: “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years.”

 
Queen Elizabeth II arriving at Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021 (Credit: Splash News)

Did the Queen cry at Prince Philip’s funeral?

The Queen, known for being stoic, did appear to be tearful at Prince Philip’s funeral. Wearing black, and a face mask, she was pictured with glossy eyes in the back of a car when arriving. But she held back her sorrow during the service and kept her composure.

However, during the memorial service for Prince Philip, which took place in March 2022 – almost a year after the funeral – the Queen did appear tearful again. It was her first public appearance in more than 6 months due to lockdown restrictions.

Their son Charles was seen fighting back tears, as he walked in the procession.

The royals organised the memorial service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate his life and legacy and his loyalty to the monarchy. They wanted to remember the dedication he had to his family, nation and the Commonwealth, as well as the charities he supported.

At the time, Buckingham Palace explained: “The Service will give thanks for The Duke of Edinburgh’s dedication to family, Nation and Commonwealth and recognise the importance of his legacy in creating opportunities for young people, promoting environmental stewardship and conservation, and supporting the Armed Forces.”
Scenes of the Queen standing alone broke hearts (Credit: BBC)

Prince William and Harry reunite

Prince William and Harry reunited at Prince Philip’s funeral – and it was the first time the Duke of Sussex had returned to the UK in more than a year. Harry and his wife Meghan Markle had left the country to start a new life in North America, after stepping down as senior royals of The Firm. Meghan, on the other hand, did not attend.

Weeks before Philip’s death, the Sussexes took part in a tell-all interview with celebrity pal Oprah Winfrey. During the chat, they revealed several bombshell allegations, including that a member of the royal family had reportedly made a remark about Prince Archie’s skin colour before he was born.

Harry also spoke about his father and brother, and claimed he was cut off financially by his dad.

But it was on April 17, 2021, when the feuding brothers would reunite. They walked together in the procession prior to the funeral, but not side by side, as cousin Peter Phillips walked between them.

Following the service, they walked back together to Windsor Castle for a private reception.

Charles’ heartbreaking plea

However, the Duke later wrote in his memoir Spare that a row broke out between him, William and dad King Charles on the day of the funeral.

They trio had met up and Harry wanted it to be an opportunity to hear an apology from his family over his wife Meghan – but that didn’t go to plan.

“I tried to explain my side of things,” Harry wrote in his memoir. “Every time I ventured a new explanation, started a new line of thought, one or both of them would cut me off.

“Willy in particular didn’t want to hear anything. After he’d shut me down several times, he and I began sniping, saying some of the same things we’d said for months – years.  It got so heated that Pa raised his hands. ‘Enough!’”

“He stood between us, looking up at our flushed faces: ‘Please, boys – don’t make my final years a misery.’”