The Countess of Wessex has shared details of Prince Philip’s final moments, describing his death as “very peaceful”.
Sophie, who is married to the Queen’s son, Prince Edward, was speaking to staff outside the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor when she spoke of the duke’s death.
She said: “It was right for him and, you know, it was so gentle.
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Prince Philip’s sons reflect on Duke’s death
“It was like someone took him by the hand, and then he went.
“Very, very peaceful and that’s all you want for somebody, isn’t it?”
She added: “So I think it is so much easier for the person that goes than the people who are left behind. We are all sitting here looking at each other going ‘this is awful’.
“But equally, look at all the tributes. It’s just amazing.”
Her comments come after members of the Royal Family attended a service at the chapel in Windsor.
Talking about the wave of affection for him since his death, Prince Edward said his father “always thought of others before himself” and described the tributes to him as “fantastic”.
The Earl of Wessex told reporters: “It’s been a bit of a shock. However much one tries to prepare oneself for something like this it’s still a dreadful shock.
“And we’re still trying to come to terms with that. And it’s very, very sad.”
He added: “It just goes to show: he might have been our father, grandfather, father-in-law, but he meant so much to so many other people.”
“As always. But bearing up, and again it’s just that wave of affection for him and just those lovely stories.”
