Queen Elizabeth II marks first wedding anniversary without Prince Philip
Queen Elizabeth II has reached her first wedding anniversary without her late husband, Prince Philip.
The milestone comes seven months after the Duke of Edinburgh passed away aged 99, and would have been a celebration of their 74 years of marriage.
Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey.
The couple’s union has been the longest of any British sovereign in history.
At the celebration marking their 50th anniversary in 1997, the monarch said her husband often gave her “strength” over the years.
“He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years,” she said at the time.
Following his death in April, the Queen said she was comforted by the tributes that came from all over the world.
“My family and I would like to thank you all for the support and kindness shown to us in recent days,” she said in a message on her 95th birthday, shared to the royal family’s Instagram
“We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life.”
The 95-year-old has faced a series of difficulties this year, with the most recent involving a back injury that forced her to pull out of attending the Remembrance Sunday service and only commit to light duties.
Previously, the Queen was admitted to hospital on October 20 for preliminary investigations and was ordered to rest by royal doctors.
Image: @theroyalfamily (Instagram)