Who was in the car with the Queen today and what is a lady-in-waiting?
The Queen sat alone for the service, but she had company arriving to the funeral.
Prince Philip has been laid to rest today, with a scaled back funeral service at Windsor Castle and a national minute’s silence.
Many might have wondered who would be by the Queen’s side after losing Philip, her consort – and rock – for the last seven decades.
With social distancing restrictions keeping some of her family members from getting too close, fortunately, the Queen wasn’t alone.
Viewers and social media users were trying to work out who was riding in the car with the Queen. Who was it?
Who was with the Queen at Prince Philip’s funeral?
The Queen was joined in the car ride to St George’s Chapel by her senior lady-in-waiting, Susan Hussey.
Lady Susan Hussey, 81, is the fifth and youngest daughter of the 12th Earl Waldegrave and Mary Hermione, Countess Waldegrave.
She was was married to the late BBC chairman Marmaduke Hussey, who died in 2006.
In 1960, she became the Queen’s Woman of the Bedchamber, initially employed to respond to letters after Prince Andrew’s birth.
She has since become one of the Queen’s most trusted confidantes, having served her for six decades.
The Queen’s ladies-in-waiting have been part of HMS Bubble – the name given to the reduced selection of around 20 staff attending to the Queen at Windsor during lockdown.
The lady-in-waiting accompanied Her Majesty to the service but was not included on the guestlist – reduced to 30 people due to coronavirus restrictions.
Her lady-in-waiting did not sit in the quire, watching from elsewhere on the grounds, and is therefore not counted as a guest.
What is a lady-in-waiting?
A lady-in-waiting or court lady is, historically, a female personal assistant at a court, attending on a royal woman or a high-ranking noblewoman.
Traditionally, in Europe, a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman, but of lower rank than the woman to whom she attended.
Today, a lady-in-waiting is closer to an assistant or a confidante.
The Queen’s ladies-in-waiting, personally chosen by the monarch, have a variety of duties including attending to private and personal matters for the Queen and handling her correspondence.
MORE : Philip gives tour of chapel where his body lies before funeral in unseen footage
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Prince Philip funeral: Key details
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh passed away on Friday April 9, just two months shy of his 100th birthday.
Today, the Duke was interred in the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel - where he will remain until his wife of 73 years dies, whereupon they will be buried together.
Only 30 mourners were present at the funeral due to current Covid-19 restrictions - with the Queen having to sit alone.
Although well-wishers were urged to not line the streets of Windsor, they could watch the ceremony on TV.
Another way to pay your respects to the late Duke is to sign the official online book of condolence.
Here are the key details: