Queen Elizabeth Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Prince Philip Following His Passing

Queen Elizabeth has shared a poignant tribute to her beloved husband, Prince Philip, just one day after his passing at Windsor Castle at the age of 99.

The Royal Family's social media channels were graced with a touching portrait of the couple along with a moving quote from the Queen taken from a speech she delivered during their golden wedding anniversary celebrations in 1997.

In her heartfelt words, the Queen expressed, “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, his whole family, and numerous countries owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know.”

During a luncheon at Banqueting House in London in November 1997, the Queen reflected on an extraordinary 50 years of marriage as she spoke these sentiments.

The portrait shared was initially unveiled on Philip's 95th birthday back in 2016, captured at Windsor Castle following Easter that year.

The image depicted the couple dressed in coordinated attire, with the Queen donning a soft pink cardigan adorned with golden buttons over a pink and white striped blouse, while the Duke sported a pink shirt beneath a light brown jacket paired with a matching pink pocket square.

The Queen's warm acknowledgment of her husband in 1997 was reciprocated by Philip's praise for her exceptional tolerance.

On their golden wedding anniversary, Philip emphasized, “I think the main lesson that we have learnt is that tolerance is the one essential ingredient of any happy marriage.

It may not be quite so important when things are going well, but it is absolutely vital when the going gets difficult.

You can take it from me that the Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance.”

Shortly after the initial post, the Palace shared a second image showcasing Philip alongside the Queen during her coronation in 1953.

The caption accompanying the post read, “The Duke of Edinburgh swore to be Her Majesty's liege, man of life and limb.”

Throughout nearly 70 years, from the Queen's accession in 1952 until his passing, the Duke remained a dedicated consort and companion to the Sovereign.

The Queen and Prince Philip embarked on a life of public service from the inception of their relationship, transitioning from young sweethearts to married parents and eventually to great-grandparents within an expanding royal lineage.

Their enduring union stemmed from a wartime romance that commenced with a chance encounter at the Royal Navy College in Dartmouth in 1939, when the Queen was a mere 13 years old.

Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip's cousin, recollected in an ITV interview the moment Elizabeth first laid eyes on the striking Duke, stating, “I think she fell in love with him from that day onward…he really looked like a kind of Viking god, very tall, very blonde, marvellous looking.”

The longevity and success of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's marriage, spanning over 70 years, were attributed to their shared interests and mutual commitment to royal duties.

The Royal Family's official website lauds Philip as a devoted consort who stood by the Sovereign for more than six decades, from Her Majesty's ascension in 1952 until his recent passing.