‘My strength and stay’ - Queen pays tribute to Prince Philip in moving quote shared by Royal Family
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‘My strength and stay’ - Queen pays tribute to Prince Philip in moving quote shared by Royal Family

THE QUEEN paid an emotional tribute to her husband, Prince Philip, in a quote shared by the Royal Family following the Duke of Edinburgh’s sad passing. 

Prince Philip passed away, aged 99, with the Queen at his bedside. 

Eager to offer a snapshot of a marriage that spanned more than 70 years, the Royal Family reposted a quote from the Monarch herself reflecting on her life with the Duke of Edinburgh. 

Taken from a speech made to mark the couple’s golden wedding anniversary in 1997, the Queen said: “He (Philip) has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.” 

The comments came from a lunch held at Banqueting House in London to celebrate “a remarkable fifty years” for the pair, who remained married for a further 22. 

It was shared as the Queen enters eight days of mourning for her husband. 

In another touching tribute on social media, the Royal Family also shared another memory dating back to the Queen’s Coronation in 1953, when Philip swore to be Her Majesty’s “liege man of life and limb.” 

“The Duke was a devoted consort (companion to the Sovereign) for almost 70 years, from Her Majesty’s Accession in 1952 until his death,” the post said. 

Prince Philip’s passing was confirmed in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace. 

It said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. ‘His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.” 

The Duke had previously been admitted to hospital back in March, when he underwent heart surgery. 

Discharged that same month, according to the Telegraph, it was Prince Philip’s wish to die at home “in his own bed” and “on his own” terms.  

It is thought that he had been “gravely ill” this week.