Sophie Wessex shares touching details of Prince Philip's final moments

Sophie, Countess of Wessex has opened up about her father-in-law Prince Philip’s final moments, describing his passing as both “peaceful” and “gentle”. 

• Sophie Wessex and Prince Edward attended a service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor over the weekend.
• Speaking to members of the public, she shared that the Duke of Edinburgh’s passing was “peaceful”. 
• This royal news (opens in new tab) comes as we reveal the reason why Prince Harry is self-isolating next to Prince William before Prince Philip’s funeral (opens in new tab).

Sophie, Countess of Wessex has spoken in public for the first time about the passing of her father-in-law, Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh died (opens in new tab), aged 99, at Windsor Castle last week, and his funeral is set to take place on Saturday, April 17th.

Whilst his death will not change the royal line of succession (opens in new tab), it has changed the monarchy as we know it. The Queen, who was married to Prince Philip, for over seven decades (opens in new tab), will no doubt have been left devastated by his death.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s title (opens in new tab) is set to be passed to his youngest son Prince Edward after a key moment in the future.

And over the weekend, Edward, his wife Sophie, and daughter Lady Louise Windsor attended a church service at The Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor.

This is the same chapel where Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (opens in new tab) last year, though this weekend’s small service was an incredibly poignant one.

Following the service, the couple spoke to members of the congregation, as well as to people who work on the Windsor estate. It was then that Sophie opened up in a deeply personal conversation about Prince Philip’s passing.

The Countess of Wessex said: "It was right for him. It was so gentle. It was just like somebody took him by the hand and off he went. Very, very peaceful. And that’s all you want for somebody isn’t it?”

She and Prince Edward also spoke about how the Queen has been coping with the loss of her beloved husband, whom she once described as her “strength and stay”. 

When asked how Her Majesty was coping, Sophie responded: “Thinking of others before herself, she's amazing.”

Whilst Prince Edward echoed this sentiment, remarking "as always" before describing the Queen as “bearing up”. 

“That wave of affection for him and just those lovely stories, they just mean so much. The tributes have been just fantastic. That’s really, really important and we really do appreciate it,” he declared.