Queen Elizabeth Leaves Heartfelt Handwritten Letter for Prince Philip on His Coffin

It was yesterday (April 17) Queen Elizabeth II laid her husband of 73 years to rest, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.

 

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Placed on top of Prince Philip’s casket was a wreath and a handwritten letter from the queen.  Queen Elizabeth met Prince Philip when she was 13 and he was 18.  However, their courtship was short-lived when Phillip enlisted in the Royal Navy however.  The two began to exchange letters and when Philip returned, he asked King George VI for his daughter’s hand in marriage.  They married on November 20, 1947 and in 1953, Elizabeth became the new new monarch following the passing of her father.

 

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According to Today, “Some social media sleuths speculated that the note read, “Your Loving Lilibet.” Used by close family, Lilibet is a nickname the queen received when she was young because she couldn’t pronounce her own name. Philip was known to use this term of endearment in his letters to her and about her, once writing to the Queen Mother, “Cherish Lilibet? I wonder if that word is enough to express what is in me.””

 

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As The Royal Family’s Instagram page stated, “In line with government guidelines, the event was scaled back and it was a very personal family occasion which recognized His Royal Highness’s military associations and included some unique personal touches, which had been specially requested by The Duke.”

 

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Prior to his passing, Philip had a say in the making of his own funeral plans, “He has asked, in his words, [for] a simple affair and that is exactly what is happening at the ceremonial service that will take place at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle,” Omid Scobie told ET.  Omid is the co-author of Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family.

Philip’s forest green Jaguar Land Rover was used to transport his coffin, which is currently on display at Windsor Castle.  According to Buckingham Palace, “Philip and Land Rover began creating the custom vehicle to be used at his funeral 18 years ago.  The hearse was built using a Land Rover Defender TD5 130 chassis cab vehicle, which was made at Land Rover’s factory in Solihull in 2003 and subsequently modified.  The open top rear section to carry the coffin was designed and custom-made to the royal’s specification.”

 

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Thierry Bolloré, Jaguar Land Rover’s Chief Executive said in a statement, “We are deeply privileged to have enjoyed a very long and happy association with The Duke of Edinburgh over many decades. We are also honored that the Land Rover which The Duke designed will be used at the funeral on Saturday.  The Duke was a tremendous champion for design, engineering and technology. During his visits to our sites he engaged with hundreds of employees and demonstrated his impressive knowledge and deep interest in vehicle design, engineering and manufacturing. The Duke was a truly remarkable man and will be greatly missed.”

 

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Philip passed away on April 9 at the age of 99, leaving behind four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  Prince Phillip’s funeral was held at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

 

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For full coverage on Prince Philip’s funeral, visit our friends at 680News.