Just hours before Prince Philip will be laid to rest on April 17, Queen Elizabeth II shared a never-before-seen photo of herself and her beloved husband on Instagram. The photo captured by Sophia, Countess of Wessex, who is married to Elizabeth and Philip’s son Edward, shows the longtime loves relaxing in a field with big smiles on their faces.
It’s a rare photo in which the public sees the Queen with her hair down, just simply enjoying time with her husband of 73 years and other family members. However, while it is not often the public sees this side of the Queen and her husband, as many of the statements issued by the Royal family have revealed, they often saw this side of their granny and grandfather.
See Never-Before-Seen Photo of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Enjoy Each Other’s Company:
Along with the photo, the Queen wrote, “Her Majesty and the Royal Family are grateful for all the messages of condolence from around the world and have been touched to see and hear so many people sharing fond memories of The Duke, in celebration of his life.”
Some of those fond memories have come straight from Prince William, Prince Harry, and Princess Eugenie. In Eugenie’s statement, she promised her grandfather that she, along with the other members of their family, would be sure to love and care for Queen Elizabeth, the same way he did.
“I will remember you in your children, your grandchildren, and great grandchildren,” the princess wrote, in part. “Thank you for your dedication and love for us all and especially Granny, who we will look after for you.”
Prince Harry wrote that his “grandfather was a man of service, honor, and great humor. He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm—and also because you never knew what he might say next.”
While Prince William added, “I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – both through good times and the hardest days.” So touching.
Prince Philip passed away at the age of 99 on April 9.