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Celebrity

03rd Oct 2021

The Queen speaks about Prince Philip in public for the first time since his passing

Sarah McKenna Barry

The Queen spoke about the happy memories she shared with Philip in Scotland.

Yesterday, Queen Elizabeth II spoke publicly about her late husband, Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, for the first time since his passing earlier this year.

The Queen was opening a new session in the Scottish Parliament, and she told Members of Parliament about her husband’s love of Scotland.

The Times reports that she said: “I have spoken before of my deep and abiding affection for this wonderful country, and of the many happy memories Prince Philip and I always held of our time here.”

She added: “It is often said that it is the people that make a place, and there are few places where this is truer than in Scotland, as we have seen in recent times.”

In her speech, the Queen also said: “The beginning of a new session is a time for renewal and fresh thinking, providing an opportunity to look to the future and our future generations.

“Today is also a day where we can celebrate those who have made an extraordinary contribution to the lives of other people in Scotland, locally or nationally, during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Indeed, the royal family spend plenty of time in the Queen’s Scottish residence Balmoral.

In April, following her husband’s passing, the official Instagram account for the royals shared a photo of the couple in Scotland on the Queen’s behalf.

The caption read: “The Queen wishes to share this private photograph taken with The Duke of Edinburgh at the top of the Coyles of Muick, Scotland in 2003.

“Her Majesty and the Royal Family are grateful for all the messages of condolence from around the world and have been touched to see and hear so many people sharing fond memories of The Duke, in celebration of his life.”

Prince Philip passed away on 9 April 2021. He was 99 years old.