Who is Countess Mountbatten? Prince Philip’s best friend invited to funeral

Due to coronavirus limits, only 30 people attended the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday, April 17th.

The Queen had to make certain tough choices.

In normal circumstances, around 800 people would have witnessed the service at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel.

However, owing to Covid limitations, only 30 persons were expected to participate, most of whom are members of the Royal Family.

Three of the Duke’s German family, two great-nephews and a cousin, Bernhard, Hereditary Prince of Baden, Prince Donatus, Landgrave of Hesse, and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, have also been included, each linked to one of his four sisters, who were all married German Princes and Dukes, as per the Duke’s wishes.

Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, one of Prince Philip and the Queen’s best friends, rounded off the list.

The Countess is the only daughter of butcher-turned-businessman Reginald Eastwood, and by her marriage to Norton Knatchbull, 3rd Earl of Mountbatten of Burma, she became related to the royal family.

Admiral of the Fleet Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, a British Royal Navy officer and statesman and Prince Philip’s uncle, is the Earl’s grandfather.

When Penelope was first introduced by Norton Knatchbull in 1975, she was an instant success with the royals, particularly the Queen and Philip.

Despite the fact that they were more than 30 years apart in age, their relationship flourished thanks to a mutual enjoyment of the outdoors, which only became stronger when Philip taught the Countess to drive carriages in 1994.

They became good mates and were often seen riding mini motorcycles along the carriage driving course at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Penny is the Duke’s frequent riding partner, and she is credited for encouraging him to continue riding long into his nineties.

She was a frequent visitor to the Duke’s Wood Farm cottage on the outskirts of the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk after his retirement.

Their bond was so close that she was dubbed “and also” by palace workers since no guest list was full without her.