It was the poignant moment that touched the whole country. Covid had gripped the world for more than 12 months and the heartbreak of loss and loneliness in lockdown was fresh in the minds of the nation.
Alone, wearing a facemask, the Queen mourned her man. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died aged 99 on April 9 last year. His funeral followed eight days later.
Donning a black jacket and hat, the Queen sat alone in St George's Chapel, at Windsor Castle. Empty seat followed empty seat to her side as she was left with her thoughts.
READ MORE: Queen under medical supervision at Balmoral with doctors 'concerned for her health'
The Duke had been by the Queen's side as her husband for more than 73 years. In an event marking the couple's golden anniversary in 1997, the Queen said: "He is someone who doesn't take easily to compliments but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know."
Images of the Queen mourning alone in St George's Chapel brought even more sorrow to the country. That sorrow would turn to anger when details of lockdown parties on Downing Street would emerge later last year.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was the closest member of the Royal Family able to sit near to the Queen while the service took place. During her Christmas speech last year, the Queen opened up about the loss of her husband.
She said: "That mischievous, inquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him. But life of course consists of final partings as well as first meetings. And as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas."
Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96, on Thursday. Doctors had become concerned for her health on Thursday earlier in the day and the royal was put under medical supervision at Balmoral Castle. Her death was sadly confirmed later in the day.
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