Prince Edward Visits Prince Philip's Funeral Site With Wife Sophie & Daughter Lady Louise As Tributes Pour In — Watch
Prince Edward made sure to visit his father Prince Philip's funeral site on Friday, April 16, ahead of the ceremony, which will take place the next day at St George's Chapel.
During the visit, Philip and Queen Elizabeth's youngest son, in addition to his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and their 17-year-old daughter, Lady Louise, looked around at the many tributes that were left for the royal family.
In photographs, the trio looked touched by the flowers and letters that were left outside for the late Duke. In one picture, Sophie is seen kneeling down to read cards, while her daughter looks over her shoulder.
Prince Edward, Sophie and Lady Louise Windsor view floral tributes to Prince Philip pic.twitter.com/PVo0lnzINW
— The Sun (@TheSun) April 16, 2021
On Thursday, April 15, Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, visited the gardens of Marlborough House in London to see the public's uplifting and sweet messages. In a video clip, the two looked like they were overwhelmed by all of the support.
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visited a memorial for Prince Philip in London Thursday (4/15). Mourners have left flowers, cards, and mementos honoring the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip's funeral is this weekend. pic.twitter.com/NCzPmV90hY
— CBS Newspath (@cbsnewspath) April 15, 2021
One card from "Marian & Marum" read: "Your memory will never fade. Rest in Peace."
"Words cannot even begin to express our sorrow. You are in our prayers," a second message said.
Prince Edward gave a shout-out to members of Philip's charity organization, known as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, this week.
Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, says losing his father was "a bit of a shock.” https://t.co/NlvUbFQYZT pic.twitter.com/YQgCnn5nUJ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 11, 2021
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: PRINCE PHILIP LIVED AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE — SEE PHOTOS
“Reading just some of the wonderful memories you have shared about your experiences of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and, in some cases, of meeting my father, has been truly uplifting. I think I may have said once that he was a man that once met, never forgotten," he said in a statement.
He continued, "He had a unique ability to make a lasting impression in a remarkably short time. I, like all my family, have a lifetime of lasting impressions, inspiration, shared passions and love. He may have departed this world, but his spirit and ethos lives on through his Award, through each and every life touched, transformed, inspired; then, now and in the future. Thank you one and all for helping to create such an extraordinary tribute.”
Last weekend, the 57-year-old said his father's death was "a bit of a shock."
"However much one tries to prepare oneself for this it's still a dreadful shock and we're still trying to come to terms with that," he shared.
"And it's very, very sad. But I have to say that the extraordinary tributes and the memories that everybody has been able to share have been so fantastic. It just goes to show, he might have been our father, grandfather, father-in-law but he meant so much to so many other people," he continued.