Queen's determination to meet Prince Philip's expectations amid 'disappointment' over Harry

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as the Royal family attend events to mark the Centenary of the RAF on July 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Chris Jackson)

The Queen is said to be determined to attend Prince Philip's memorial service next week in order to meet his expectations, knowing that Prince Harry's decision to skip the special day would have "disappointed" her late husband.

While the Queen's attendance at Prince Philip's memorial service, which will mark a year since his death in 2021, is still uncertain, a royal expert claims that she is even more desperate to attend following the news that her grandson Prince Harry won't be coming to the UK for it.

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Prince Harry arrives for the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

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With Buckingham Palace said to be taking the Queen's health "day by day" following her Covid diagnosis last month and her recent back injury, the frail monarch is believed to be taking things easy in order to be in the best state to make the memorial.

Now, a royal pro has claimed that the Queen knows that her husband of over 70 years would expect her to be in attendance, especially with their grandson, Prince Harry, not showing up.

EGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 24: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attend The OUT-SOURCING Inc Royal Windsor Cup 2018 polo match at Guards Polo Club on June 24, 2018 in Egham, England. (Photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images)

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Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told The Mirror, "Her once strong physique is decidedly frail after hurting her back in October 2021. This year she has had to cancel all her public appearances including the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey because in her own words, 'I can’t move!'

"She is determined to be at her late husband’s memorial on Tuesday however hard it is for her to get there. She knows he would expect it as much as she knows he would be angry and disappointed Prince Harry has chosen not to go," she added.

It comes after it was revealed that Her Majesty is relying on a walking stick or wheelchair much of the time these days, with her frame growing more frail in recent months. However she is reportedly reluctant to be photographed using a wheelchair.

"It’s so very sad and I hope she is able to make her anniversary celebrations. I have heard that the reason she’s not doing a lot of the events that she should be doing and cancelling them is because she is in a wheelchair," Christopher Biggins told GB News.

Caitlin Elliott
Junior News Editor

Caitlin is a Junior News Editor for Goodto.com, covering all things royal, celeb, lifestyle, food, and family. Having set her sights on becoming a magazine journalist when she was a child, Caitlin took on work experience stints at local papers and titles such as Cosmopolitan, Now, Reveal and Take a Break while studying for her Multimedia Journalism degree and has interviews with celebs, reality stars and the Archbishop of Canterbury under her belt (of course, she couldn't resist asking him about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry).