Queen Elizabethhad a subtle reminder of her late husbandPrince Philipwith her during herfirst outing of the new year.
But there was a special meaning to the walking stick: it previously belonged toPrince Philip, who died last April at the age of 99.
Queen Elizabeth carrying her bag and her walking stick.Joe Giddens/POOL/AFP via Getty
AlthoughPrince Philiplast used the cane publicly back in 2013 while recovering from abdominal surgery, he used it more recently while working on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which he managed.
Queen Elizabeth.Joe Giddens/POOL/AFP via Getty
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Queen Elizabethstepped out with a walking stickin October 2021 for a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, marking the first time she used a cane publicly since 2003 when she used a cane while she was recovering from knee surgery.
Prince Philipwas top of mind as the monarch marked her Platinum Jubilee. In a statement released Saturday for the occasion, she wrote that she was “blessed that inPrince PhilipI had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it.”
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.getty
The Queen also confirmed her “sincere wish” forCamilla, Duchess of Cornwallto be known asQueen ConsortwhenPrince Charlestakes the throne.
Royal historian Robert Lacey tells PEOPLE, “In the message, she was acknowledging her own mortality and looking to the future. As she thought about her father George VI, she would have also thought about her mother and the importance she played as a partner to him.”
He adds, “And then, of course, with the passing ofPrince Philip, she is considering the sacrifices and difficulties of being a consort.”
source: people.com
