Attending the funeral of her late husband the Duke of Edinburgh this afternoon, Queen Elizabeth II had the support of her family even while she sat alone due to covid restrictions. The monarch wore sombre black, with a dazzling brooch pinned to her coat.
The ‘Richmond’ brooch, inherited from her grandmother Queen Mary, is so called because it was gifted to the young queen by the town of Richmond to celebrate her wedding in 1893. As such, the brooch has connections to both family and marriage; both eminently appropriate for today's sad occasion. Mary first wore the brooch while staying with Queen Victoria at Osborne House during her honeymoon, and it features in many early photographs of the royal ancestor.
Passing to Elizabeth in 1953, the brooch has been worn by the queen to numerous important occasions, notably to both the 2014 and 2018 Festivals of Remembrance – as well as the wedding of Harry and Meghan three years ago, held at the very same St George's Chapel where the family gathers today to honour the Duke of Edinburgh’s life and death.
With his grandfather’s funeral marking the first time Harry has returned to the UK from California since stepping back from royal duties last year, and amid ongoing rumours of friction between him and his brother William (especially following that explosive Oprah interview), could the queen's nod to the couple be a bid to project familial unity?
With the brothers spotted speaking at the event, along with William's wife Kate, perhaps that call for togetherness has hit home.
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GALLERY: Prince Philip With His Grandsons William and Harry
The Best Pictures of Prince Philip With His Grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry - Grazia
1 of 14December 2017
Prince William and Prince Harry, along with their wives Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, follow behind Prince Philip on Christmas Day in Sandringham.
2 of 14January 1988
Members of the Royal Family pose for a photocall at the Sandringham Museum with the 1939 Merryweather Fire Engine.
3 of 14April 2006
The Duke of Edinburgh enjoys a chat with his grandsons, Prince Harry and Prince William, at Sandhurst Military Academy.
4 of 14June 2014
Prince Philip jokes around with Prince Harry, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William during the Trooping the Colour.
5 of 14July 2000
The Duke of Edinburgh, along with Prince William and Prince Harry, attend a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.
6 of 14July 2004
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry attend the opening of fountain built in honour of Princess Diana in Hyde Park.
7 of 14September 1997
Prince Philip famously stepped in to support his grandsons as they walked behind the coffin of their mother, the late Princess Diana.
8 of 14November 2006
The princes smile as they stand behind their grandparents at the Van Cutsem/Grosvenor wedding at Chester Cathedral.
9 of 14June 2003
Prince Philip shares a smile with Prince William and Prince Harry during the Trooping of the Colour.
10 of 14June 1988
Prince Philip stands with the Queen, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour.
11 of 14December 1984
Royal relatives and godparents pose at the Christening of Prince Harry.
12 of 14September 1997
The Queen and Prince Philip stop to look at floral tributes left in honour of Princess Diana outside Balmoral Castle after attending a private church service.
13 of 14December 1990
The Royal Family celebrates Christmas together at Sandringham.
14 of 14October 2015
Prince Philip attends the World Cup Final match between New Zealand and Australia with Prince Harry and Prince William.