A deeply moving insight into the Queen's immense personal strength has been revealed, detailing her incredibly composed reaction to the news of her beloved husband's passing.
According to royal author and historian Robert Hardman in his new book, the moment was handled with the quiet dignity that defined her 70-year reign. Her Private Secretary, Sir Edward Young, was tasked with delivering the devastating news that Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, had died.
Rather than display overt emotion, the monarch, then 94, met the announcement with characteristic fortitude. She is reported to have paused for a moment of reflection before uttering a simple, four-word phrase that spoke volumes: "Oh, thank you. That is the way I wanted."
This profound response is seen as the ultimate testament to her unwavering sense of duty and a lifetime of training to suppress personal feeling for the sake of the Crown. It was a final, gentle acknowledgement of her wish for Philip to have a peaceful passing, away from the public eye.
A Partnership Forged Over Decades
The Queen and Prince Philip enjoyed one of the longest and most enduring royal partnerships in history, married for an incredible 73 years. Philip was not just her husband but her steadfast consort, her greatest supporter, and the rock upon which she relied.
His death at the age of 99 at Windsor Castle in April 2021 left a void not only in the life of the nation but in the heart of the monarch herself. Yet, even in her private grief, her first instinct was to think of her people and the necessary protocols.
"She knew this was coming. Her first reaction was acceptance. It was typical of her. No fuss, no bother, no emotional outburst," a source is quoted as saying.
The Calm Before the Public Storm
In the minutes following the news, the Queen's incredible poise allowed for the meticulous execution of the well-prepared plans for such a moment. She remained perfectly composed, ensuring that the royal household, her family, and the nation were informed in the correct manner.
This stoic reaction provided the necessary calm at the centre of the storm, allowing the machinery of state to swing into action before the news was broken to a grieving public. It was a masterclass in leadership under the most intense personal sorrow, a final gift of duty from a woman who had dedicated her entire life to it.
