‘THE TRIBUTE TO HER SOULMATE WAS THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN'

THE QUEEN CELEBRATED THE LIFE OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WITH A MOVING SERVICE IN STARK CONTRAST TO HIS LOW-KEY FUNERAL

- AMY DENMAN

LOVING MEMORIES

The Queen led the royal family in tribute to Prince Philip at a touching memorial service. The 95-year-old monarch showed her continued devotion to her beloved husband when she appeared at Westminster Abbey alongside her family to celebrate his life.

The Duke of Edinburgh, to whom she was married for 73 years, died a year ago, and his memorial service on Tuesday was starkly different from his restrained funeral at the height of the pandemic. Heartbreaking images of the Queen sitting alone before his coffin made front-page news at the time, a period in which only small and socially distanced gatherings were allowed.

However, this time around, the Queen and members of the royal family were joined by an 1,800-strong congregation that included Prince Philip's loved ones and royals from across Europe. Among them were Prince Albert of Monaco, Denmark's Queen Margrethe and King Felipe VI of Spain.

In the days leading up to the service, there were fears that the Queen would be unable to attend because of her recent mobility difficulties. But the "determined" monarch headed to Westminster Abbey accompanied by Prince Andrew, her 62-year-old second son.

Royal expert Grant Harrold tells OK! the Queen wouldn't have missed the service for the world. "She's a very determined lady," says Grant, who acted as butler to Prince Charles from 2004 to 2011. "If she wants to do something, she does it. She's always been like that. She's very much the boss, that's how she's affectionately known.