The Queen of the United Kingdom ignores health issues and attends Philip’s service | Health and fitness

The Queen entered the convent on the arm of her second son, Prince Andrew, and then broke up with him to get to her seat alone, easing concerns about unspecified “mobility issues” that have limited her public appearances in recent months. Her choice of escorts will be seen as a vote to support Andrew after he settled a lawsuit related to his relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Elizabeth, who recently recovered from COVID-19, did not attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey earlier this month, though she continued her other scheduled engagements. The 95-year-old monarch was deeply involved in planning the service, which included hymns and tributes from the charities that Philip supported. No such touches were allowed during his funeral last year due to epidemic control measures.

The ceremony was attended by about 1,800 family members and guests. Only 30 people were allowed to attend the funeral, which was conducted under strict lockdown rules that forced the Queen to sit alone in a black mask while grieving the loss of her husband of 73 years. Duke of Edinburgh Philip died on 9 April at the age of 99.

Reverend David Conner remembered Philip’s service to the Queen, his dedication to protecting the environment and his commitment to equipping young people with the skills they need to succeed through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Prize.

“Through his passionate commitment, he drew others to him in admiration and respect, and in the case of those who lived and worked closely with him, it was true love,” Conner said.

There was also a finer homage, delivered as royals often do through their clothing choices. Elizabeth and her daughter Princess Anne and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wore dark green – echoing Philip’s paint color from Edinburgh Green.

Dwayne Sunibari, 28, also wore green, which won the highest honor from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Prize, which was created by Philip to teach young people self-confidence and life skills through outdoor activities and community service. More than 6.7 million teens and young adults have participated in the program since 1956.

Sonibar honored Philip, thanking him for creating a program that gave her the tools she needed to get her first job, go to university and now study for her Ph.D. In sickle cell research.

The program culminates with a Night Expedition, which spooked an East London teenager who had never camped before and was afraid to climb steep hills.

“I kept thinking I was going up, rolling down the mountain, turning on the lights for Doyin,” she said. “Fortunately for me, it didn’t. …I remember thinking to myself, If I could complete this expedition, I could do anything; though I was at the time eighteen and not sure of my future” .

The entrances to Westminster Abbey are lined by the program’s Gold Award winners, as well as members of the Young Apprentice Associations – a touch Phillip requested.

There were also prayers, offered in honor of Philip’s faith, and the devotees joined in singing “Guide me, great Redeemer,” which was not possible at his funeral due to restrictions that forbade singing. The queen sang.

Britain’s royal family attended, with Prince Charles seated beside his mother and Prince William behind her.

Many of Philip’s friends, and about 30 foreign royals, including Prince Albert of Monaco, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway, and King Philip VI and Queen Letizia of Spain also participated.

The service was short – Philip was known to hate the commotion – as the Queen walked out of the chapel less than 50 minutes after entering. But it gave Britain an opportunity to make a note of thanks to the man who was in Queen’s position. The 1953 coronation swore to be “a man of life and limbs”.

It was also a family occasion, showing that Windsor would stay together even through the rough spots.

Andrew’s role ensured that he was still a member of the family, even after the scandal caused by his ties to Epstein forced him to step back from his public duties. Earlier this month, the prince settled a lawsuit brought by an American woman who alleged she was forced to have sex with him when she was 17. Andrew denies the allegations.

Royal analyst Peter Hunt wrote on Twitter: “This Queen backed Andrew after paying millions to a woman he says he doesn’t remember ever meeting with.” “Charles and William did not interfere – or did and fail to prevent the Prince from playing such a prominent role at his father’s memorial service.”

Follow all the stories about Britain’s royal family at https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii