Queen Elizabeth II paid a touching tribute to her late husband Prince Philip at the service of thanksgiving for his life at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday.
The Queen surprised royal watchers by not wearing traditional black mourning dress for the event, which is customary at royal memorials.
Instead, the 95-year old monarch appeared in a green coat and matching hat in a shade of green closely associated with the late prince.
Known as Edinburgh green, the shade worn by the Queen was used by the prince throughout his married life on official stationary, his cars, clothes and even the order of service for the memorial itself.
The Queen's touching tribute to her husband of 73 years was echoed by two other senior members of the royal family—Philip's only daughter, Princess Anne and his daughter-in-law, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
The three most senior female members of the royal family appear to have coordinated their outfits, presenting a united tribute as they sat together on the front row at Westminster Abbey.
Philip's death at the age of 99 in April 2021 occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and so his funeral had to be scaled down in accordance with the U.K government's public safety measures. Mourners were limited to just 30, meaning many of his extended family and official dignitaries were unable to attend.
The service of thanksgiving at the abbey on Tuesday was held to accommodate the guests who had been unable to attend the funeral, and Britain's lifting of all compulsory coronavirus safety restrictions meant guests from around the world were present. The Kings and Queens of Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, and Greece were all at the service, many of whom were closely related to Philip.
The Queen's arrival caused some negative reaction in the press and on social media owing to the disgraced Prince Andrew leading his mother to her seat. The prince had not been seen at an official engagement since settling a sexual assult lawsuit brought against him by Virginia Giuffre.
The monarch's outfit for the occasion consisted of a green wool tweed coat with deep burgundy velvet cuffs and collar, a matching hat, pearl jewelry and her trademark handbag.
Pinned to her coat, the Queen wore another touching tribute to her late husband—a gold and ruby brooch. The jewel, which is made from seven carved rubies and diamonds set in a gold design, was made by Andrew Grima in 1966.
Grima won the Duke of Edinburgh Prize for Elegant Design (headed by Philip) that same year and as a special gift for his wife, the prince purchased one of the winning pieces. The Queen subsequently wore the piece on special occasions associated with her husband including the official portraits taken to mark their 70 year wedding anniversary.
The monarch was not the only attendee noted for her stylish appearance at the thanksgiving service. Kate Middleton won the acclaim of fashion commentators wearing an 80s-line Alessandra Rich polka dot dress with large statement black hat. The Queen's daughter-in-law Sophie Wessex also appeared chic in a black coat and dress with diamond brooch in the form of a flower.
The congregation at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday included the senior and extended members of the British royal family as well as the heads and representatives of royal family's across the globe.
The Queen's tribute through her dress, her jewelry and the fact she attended at all given her recent health and mobility issues, formed an outward showing of respect and affection for the husband who served as Britain's longest serving royal consort and head of the royal family for 73 years.
