Queen Elizabeth II dies at the age of 96

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In March she shed a tear as she bade a final goodbye to her strength and stay.

The solemn and frail monarch summoned all her might to attend a memorial service to Prince Philip, her husband of 73 years, who had died in April last year.

And in a rare display of emotion and sentiment, she gently wept as respects were paid to the love of her life at the moving thanksgiving ceremony.

She was seated at Westminster Abbey in the very same spot where she married the dashing sailor in 1947 and where he pledged to be “her liege man of life and limb” at her coronation 70 years ago.

Wearing a brooch he gave her in 1966, it was the sovereign’s first public appearance for five months as she joined family, friends, 51 foreign royals and representatives of the Duke’s patronages.

The Queen stood with her eyes glistening as the 1,800-strong congregation sang Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer, To Be A Pilgrim and All Creatures of Our God and King – Philip’s favourites.

And she listened intently as the Dean of Windsor paid tribute to Philip’s intellect, work ethic, sense of humour and devotion to his family.

The Right Reverend David Conner described the Duke as a “remarkable man” who was committed to “a host of down-to-earth enterprises”.

And he said of Philip: “He would hate to think that I should paint a picture of him as a ‘plaster saint’, someone without the usual human foibles and failings. He was far too self-aware ever to be taken in by flattery.”

The following month, a smiling Queen looked radiant and a picture of health as she enthusiastically viewed a display of hand-decorated teapots and antique enamelled trinkets at Windsor Castle.

She had been due to visit the Halcyon Days factory in Staffordshire in 2020 to mark its own Platinum Jubilee, but plans were shelved due to the pandemic.

Wearing a floral dress and half-moon glasses, she beamed while examining luxury artefacts by the British craftwork firm, which holds three RoyalWarrants.

Concern had long mounted at the Queen’s health following the death of Philip at 99 and the ongoing pandemic. She openly admitted to mobility problems and had begun using a walking stick, but was fiercely determined not to let age or frailty interfere with the oath she swore to dedicate herself entirely to public service.

The Queen had missed this year’s Commonwealth Day service on March 14, a key event in her annual calendar, and cancelled a string of engagements. But the deeply emotional service of thanksgiving for Philip on March 29 was one she was absolutely determined to attend – and did.

She officially marked 70 years as Queen on February 6, the date in 1952 she acceded to the throne.

But the real celebrations were staged over a four-day bank holiday jamboree that kicked off on June 2, which was undoubtedly the highlight of the year.

The momentous occasion saw Britain come together like never before to mark her lifetime of self-sacrifice and dedication to duty. It was a chance for a grateful nation to pay reverence to a monarch who has led by example.

Historian Dan Snow said: “The Platinum Jubilee was perhaps the most significant celebration in recent modern British history, one no monarch in our history has ever reached before. Her Majesty the Queen is the longest-serving European monarch of all-time bar Louis XIV of France, who cheated by coming to the throne as a child and managing 72 years.”

“After two years of being forcibly disconnected, it was an opportunity to reconnect. In the face of war in Europe, cost of living increases and following years of divisive political debates, people wanted a party. Not just as an act of hedonism but because of the emotional and physical connection these moments can bring.”

And the Queen did not disappoint. She thrilled crowds on the first day of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony with family members for an RAF flypast, and again later atWindsor Castle for the beacon lighting.

The monarch also welcomed a surprise visitor for afternoon tea at the Castle in the form of Paddington Bear, who joined Her Majesty for a short sketch as part of the TV festivities.

But, after feeling discomfort as a result of the exertions of the first day, she pulled out of the Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on the Friday.

Perhaps it was little surprise. Aged 96, the Queen had battled ongoing “episodic mobility problems” stretching back to last autumn.

Her scaled-down diary led to the cancellation of many events, or other Royals attending in her place, but she did make a surprise visit to open the Elizabeth Line – named in her honour – and the Chelsea Flower Show, where she used a golf buggy, in May.

Her last major official duty was to oversee the transition of power, welcoming new Prime Minister Liz Truss to Balmoral on Tuesday of this week.

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