The beautifully symbolic reason the British royal family wore green at Prince Philip’s memorial service

The British royal family has paid their respects to the late Prince Philip during a memorial service at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday.

The service of Thanksgiving for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh reflected “the breadth of causes and charitable interests championed by His Royal Highness, as well as recognising those who continue his work” and was attended not only by his blue-blooded relatives, but also by dignitaries from around the globe.

Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Anne all wore elegant dark green hues to honour the Duke of Edinburgh, whose livery colour was Edinburgh Green.

The symbolic colour was used for the late Prince’s staff liveries and private cars, including the driving carriage used for his funeral in April 2021.

The shade was also a nod to Prince Philip’s affiliation with the Rifles Regiment, who wear a green uniform. During his decorated military career, he had been Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment from 2007 until 2020.

The Queen further honoured her late husband by wearing a yellow gold, ruby and diamond scarab brooch he gifted her in 1966.

Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and their two eldest children Prince George and Princess Charlotte were also in attendance to pay their respects to Prince Philip, who died aged 99 on April 9 last year.

However, Catherine deviated from the green hues and instead opted for a classic black and white polka dot dress, a wide-brimmed hat and stiletto pumps.

Zara Tindall, accompanied by her husband Mike Tindall and daughter Mia donned a navy blue coat dress, while Princess Eugenie, who was joined by husband Jack Brooksbank, opted for a dark floral Erdem dress to pay respect to her late grandfather.

Princess Beatrice and husband Edorado Mapelli Mozzi were also spotted at the Abbey and following the opening hymn, the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson was comforted by her husband while wiping tears away with a tissue.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, who is no longer a working member of the royal family, arrived with the Queen and avoided press and cameras outside before entering the service through a side door.

Whilst notable figures including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Monaco’s Prince Albert II and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark were also present, Prince Philip’s grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, were notably absent from the service.

Back in April last year, Harry attended the private funeral alone as his wife was too pregnant to fly from their home in the US to the Windsor service.

The Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle, commenced the service by describing Prince Philip as “a man of rare ability and distinction, rightly honoured and celebrated”.

Unlike Prince Philip’s funeral last year, which was held during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, crowds were allowed to gather outside the Abbey to pay their respects.

Author_profile Alana Mizzoni