THE LOSS of her husband will be one of the most traumatic things the Queen has ever had to face.
Together for more than 70 years, the Duke of Edinburgh lived through the ups and down of the monarch’s life and reign with her.
In 2002, her Golden Jubilee year, the Queen lost both her mother and sister within weeks of one another. But Philip was at her side.
There will be no chance to spend as much time as she needs to grieve out of the spotlight.
An appearance at the duke’s funeral in the full glare of the media beckons within days.