The then Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947, and he was at the monarch’s side throughout the decades, supporting her in her role as head of state.
Wednesday 1 December 2021 11:45, UK
The Queen has marked her first wedding anniversary without her late husband the Duke of Edinburgh.
The date, coming seven months after Prince Philip died at the age of 99, would have seen the royal couple celebrate 74 years of marriage.
It follows a difficult few weeks for Britain’s longest-serving monarch after she was admitted to hospital overnight for preliminary investigations and ordered by royal doctors to rest.
The 95-year-old, who was also forced to miss the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London as she had sprained her back, has only been carrying out light duties since her 20 October hospital stay.
This included a face-to-face audience this week with the outgoing military chief General Sir Nick Carter.
She is also reported to be determined to attend the joint christenings of her great-grandchildren in Windsor on Sunday.
The then Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947.
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Their relationship lasted the longest of any British sovereign and Philip was at the Queen’s side throughout the decades, supporting her in her role as head of state.
Following his death in April, the Queen said she and her family were in a “period of great sadness”, but that she was comforted by the tributes paid to him.
“We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life,” she said.
The duke’s funeral was held during coronavirus restrictions with the numbers strictly limited and took place entirely within the confines of Windsor Castle.
The Queen sat alone – socially distanced from her family – as she mourned.
In the days after Philip’s death, Buckingham Palace released a picture from the Royal Family’s private photo albums of the Queen and the duke relaxing together, sitting on the grass at the Coyles of Muick, a beauty spot on the Balmoral estate.
