Heartbreaking photo of the Queen on her own at Prince Philip's funeral goes viral

It must be one of the most heartbreaking images to come out of the Prince Philip funeral this afternoon
By Alex Evans
Published 17th Apr 2021, 15:55 GMT
Updated 17th Apr 2021, 16:10 GMT
This heartbreaking photo captured by PA of the Queen on her own at the funeral has gone viral. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PAThis heartbreaking photo captured by PA of the Queen on her own at the funeral has gone viral. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA
This heartbreaking photo captured by PA of the Queen on her own at the funeral has gone viral. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA

This image of the Queen sat by herself in the church for Prince Philip's funeral, sombre black face mask and social distancing keeping anyone else away, was shared thousands of times online after being snapped by the Press Association's photographer Jonathan Brady.

The caption read: "Queen Elizabeth II takes her seat for the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire."

One twitter user replied: "This pic breaks my heart."

Another added: "I know her heart is broken".

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User Ifavrachel said: "God bless the Queen my heart is broken."

Hundreds of people in the town of Windsor took part in a national minute’s silence in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh as his funeral began.

Crowds lining the high street outside the walls of Windsor Castle and along the Long Walk fell silent at 3pm in remembrance of the nation’s longest-serving consort.

The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex follow the Land Rover Defender carrying the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin during the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Picture date: Saturday April 17, 2021.The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex follow the Land Rover Defender carrying the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin during the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Picture date: Saturday April 17, 2021.
The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex follow the Land Rover Defender carrying the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin during the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Picture date: Saturday April 17, 2021.

People held Union flags, partners wore matching hats and others clutched bunches of flowers.

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Commemorations were disrupted shortly after, when a topless protester ran past crowds and jumped on to a statue of Queen Victoria before being removed by police officers.

The Duke of Edinburgh has been interred in the Royal Vault of St George’s Chapel.

His coffin was placed on a catafalque on a marble slab in the Quire and lowered into the vault by electric motor.

Pall Bearers carrying the coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh into St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Picture date: Saturday April 17, 2021.Pall Bearers carrying the coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh into St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Picture date: Saturday April 17, 2021.
Pall Bearers carrying the coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh into St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Picture date: Saturday April 17, 2021.

The Royal Vault at Windsor was created between 1804 and 1810 for George III, who died in 1820 and is one of three kings buried there.

Also interred in the vault are George IV and William IV.

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Others buried there include George III’s wife Queen Charlotte and their daughter Princess Amelia, George IV’s daughter Princess Charlotte and Queen Victoria’s father the Duke of Kent.

The Dean of Windsor gave the Commendation: “Go forth upon thy journey from this world, O Christian soul; In the name of God the Father Almighty who created thee; In the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee; In the name of the Holy Spirit who strengtheneth thee; May thy portion this day be in peace, and thy dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem. Amen.”

Related topics:QueenElizabeth II

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