Queen Elizabeth said it ‘wasn’t easy’ to grieve her beloved husband Prince Philip so publicly, the former Archbishop of York has revealed.
In a ‘wonderful’ letter written just four weeks after the Duke of Edinburgh‘s death last year, the Queen thanked Dr John Sentamu for his flowers and prayers.
But he told the BBC that she had ended the letter by saying: ‘When you are grieving someone you deeply love, it isn’t easy when you have to do it in public.’
Appearing on the Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show, Dr Sentamu added that his thoughts are now with the King and the Royal Family who are having to ‘grieve publicly’ and ‘find a space to do it’.
Senior royals have represented the family across the country over the past fortnight with vigils, processions and walkabouts to mark the Queen’s death. It comes just 18 months after Prince Philip’s funeral when the Queen was pictured sitting alone at Windsor to adhere to coronavirus restrictions.
Queen Elizabeth said it ‘wasn’t easy’ to grieve her beloved husband Prince Philip so publicly, the former Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu (pictured in 2012) has revealed
The Queen, who was married to the duke for 73 years, approved an eight-day period of national mourning followed by a period of private grieving as members of the family resumed their duties.
She famously described Prince Philip as her ‘strength and stay’ nearly six decades after they met when she was just 13.
Dr Sentamu, who has been closely involved in organising the Queen’s funeral, also said people would be ‘warmed’ by the state service today.
The archbishop, who served in the role from 2005 until 2020, said he’d been involved in planning the service for the past 17 years. He added: ‘The Queen does not – and did not want – what you call long, boring services. You’re not going to find boredom but you’re going to be lifted to glory as you hear the service.’
Senior royals have represented the family across the country over the past fortnight with vigils, processions and walkabouts to mark the Queen’s death. It comes just 18 months after Prince Philip’s funeral when the Queen was pictured sitting alone at Windsor to adhere to coronavirus restrictions
Although he said the funeral will still be traditional, he added: ‘What you’re going to expect is the best of funeral services.’
Sharing details of the service – including the use of funeral prayer books from 1662 – he continued: ‘You’re going to hear this wonderful English at its best. Also you’re going to hear angelic voices of the choir of [Westminster Abbey]. Voices that are singing to the glory of God.
‘The hearts and people’s cockles will be warmed, but at the same time, there will be a moment of saying this is a funeral service.’