Queen Elizabeth Honors Late Husband Prince Philip with Treasured Mementos at Funeral

The world watched as Queen Elizabeth II said her final goodbye to her beloved husband, Prince Philip, during his emotional funeral service at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

The Queen kept her late husband close to her heart by carrying treasured mementos from their 73 years together inside her handbag as she sat alone.

According to reports from Mail Online, Her Majesty carried one of Philip's trademark white handkerchiefs made by his Savile Row tailors, Kent and Haste.

These crisply folded squares were an enduring feature of the Duke's classic sartorial style, inserted into the breast pocket of a sharply cut suit.

She also carried a small photograph of the two of them as newlyweds, believed to have been taken in Malta, a place of great significance for the couple.

After they were married, the couple lived in Villa Garda Mangia, close to the capital Valletta.

Philip was stationed on the Mediterranean island from 1949 until 1951 as a naval officer with HMS Magpie.

The then Princess Elizabeth was able to live a more normal life in Malta, and it was one of the happiest times for her and Philip before she became Queen.

The photo was kept in the Queen's handbag, made by British brand Launa, which has had a royal warrant since 1969.

Elizabeth is known to have around 200 handbags in different styles, and they have long been used to carry precious objects, including reportedly a collection of good luck charms given to her by her children and grandchildren.

However, none will be more significant or heartfelt than those she carried to bid her husband goodbye.

During the service, the Queen wiped away tears and bowed her head in reverence as she accompanied her husband's coffin on its final journey.

His coffin, draped with his personal standard, featured his Admiral of the Fleet naval cap and sword.

The grieving monarch left a personal, handwritten note to her late husband, which was reportedly signed with her sentimental nickname, Lilibet, placed alongside a wreath of white lilies, small white roses, and white freesia chosen by her.

The note appears to have been the parting gift from Her Majesty to her husband of 73 years, for whom she was forced to mourn away from her family in St George's Chapel as she said goodbye to her strength and stay.

During the service, their eldest son Prince Charles cried as he walked behind the casket into the church.

Charles was joined by other devastated royals, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, as they walked behind Philip's coffin, carried by a Land Rover Defender Hurst he helped design during the funeral procession.

Following closely behind were the late Duke's grandsons, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Peter Phillips, and Princess Anne's husband, Vice Admiral Tim Lawrence, and the Queen's nephew, Antony Armstrong Jones.

The Queen and Philip's children and grandchildren made up most of the 30-strong congregation.

The diamond Richmond brooch, a present from the town of Richmond for her great-grandmother Queen Mary's 1893 wedding to the future King George V, was also brought out by the Queen for the ceremony.

The brooch was inherited by the Queen and worn as a touching tribute to Philip at his funeral.