Queen Elizabeth had to sit alone during her late husband, Prince Philip's funeral, but she kept him with her in spirit during the emotional service for the British monarch.
According to a Royal insider, she kept some mementoes to her husband of 73 years close to her heart as she sat in St George's Chapel.
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She is said to have held one of Philip's white pocket squares in her handbag and carried a small photograph of the two of them together, thought to have been taken in Malta.
The island has a very special place in the couple's heart having lived in Villa Guardamangia, on the outskirts of the capital Valletta, between 1949 and 1951, while Philip was stationed there as a naval officer with HMS Magpie at the beginning of their marriage.
Queen Elizabeth later described it as one of the best periods of her life as it was the only time she was able to live 'normally'. She and Philip returned regularly, including to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in 2007.
Alongside the pocket square and photo, the Queen left a handwritten note which she laid alongside Philip's wreath of white lilies, small white roses and white freesia chosen by her, MailOnline reports.
During the service, she was seen wiping away tears as she accompanied her husband's coffin on its final journey. Their eldest son Prince Charles was also seen crying while he walked behind the casket into church followed by the rest of their family.
Elizabeth and Philip during their time in Malta in 1947 Pic: Getty
The funeral was a small event due to restrictions, with mourners reduced from around 800 to just 30, and all guests wearing face masks and sitting apart.
Queen Elizabeth followed her husband's coffin on his Land Rover hearse, which he designed himself 20 years ago, down from the castle to the chapel in her State Bentley.
Also in attendance were The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry who made the journey back from LA to be with his family.
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Pall Bearers carrying the coffin during the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle Pic: PA ImagesQueen Elizabeth II (left) looks at the coffin of her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, during his funeral service in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle Pic: PA Images
Prince Charles follows the Land Rover Defender carrying the coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh ahead of the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle Pic: PA Images
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The Duchess of Cambridge sits in the Quire of St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Berkshire, while waiting for the funeral procession of the Duke of Edinburgh to arrive Pic: PA Images
The Prince of Wales walks behind The Duke of Edinburgh�s coffin, covered with His Royal Highness�s Personal Standard Pic: PA ImagesThe Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Duke of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, the Princess Royal, and the Earl of Wessex arrive at the quadrangle ahead of the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh in Windsor Castle, Berkshire Pic: PA Images
Queen Elizabeth II arrives for the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle Pic: PA ImagesThe Duchess of Cambridge (far right) waits with members of the royal family Zara Tindall, Mike Tindall, Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi outside St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle Pic: PA ImagesThe Duke of Cambridge (left) and The Duke of Sussex (right) ahead of the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle, Berkshire Pic: PA ImagesThe Duke of Edinburgh's coffin, covered with Personal Standard, is carried to the purpose built Land Rover Defender ahead of the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh in Windsor Castle, Berkshire Pic: PA ImagesPrincess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi arrive for the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire Pic: PA ImagesPrincess Eugenie arrives for the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire Pic: PA Images
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