I wanted Prince Philip to make it to 100 to get a letter from The Queen

[JackieWeaverHandforthCouncil]

Losing your DH after such a long marriage must feel like losing an organ. RIP.

R.I.P. Such a sad loss, and the end of an era. Hardly ANYone alive today can remember a life without the Queen and Prince Philip in it.

And yeah, quite melancholy that he never got his 100th birthday letter!

I feel sorry for the Queen. Philip was her soulmate.

I assume people are aware that the Queen and PP had lived separately for years, officially since he retired from royal duties but actually for some time before that -- he lived at a small (well, 'small' by royal standards) house on the Sandringham estate, while she was living between Buckingham Palace and Windsor, and they saw one another comparatively seldom.

Obviously, it was an incredibly long marriage by any standards, but I think people are thinking that the Queen is going to feel the way they would if the person they'd been married to for 70 years and were around literally all the time in their 3-bed semi, sharing a bed and every meal and spending almost all their time together, died.

I really don't think it's quite the same when your life as a couple has been built on regular absences, and when you have essentially been living as an affectionately separated couple for years.

I really don't think it's quite the same when your life as a couple has been built on regular absences, and when you have essentially been living as an affectionately separated couple for years.

They have however been shielding together for the last year. So the loss is likely to feel larger than it would have in a normal year.

That’s something my DH just commented on as something similar happened when his first wife died. He worked away a lot so was very used to not seeing her for 4/5 weeks at a time, but for the 10 months she was ill they were together 24/7. So he got more used than ever to her being around all the time just in time to lose her forever.

In answer to your question JackieWeaver, yes losing your DH after a long marriage is like someone has ripped the heart out of you.

I agree with you @riverrunner. So much shared history in the earlier years though it will be very difficult for her.

I can’t get heat up about his racist comments. He was born in 1921 and things were different then. Thankfully with each generation we evolve and become more accepting.

I know. It's very Sad poor Queen. I could see it happening soon but it's still a shock when it does.

@AlexaRain

I just hope that Meghan and Harry don’t now release a story saying they weren’t told and found out on the internet or something. Last thing the Queen wants is anymore drama!

Agreed.

Sadly, I suspect H and M are already working out how they can turn the attention to them / make some money out of it.

I don't dislike H & M, although they have irked me a bit just lately, but I suspect you're right. They will make Philip's death about them.

I wonder if Harry will feel any pangs of guilt?

He should.

I'm gutted there's no Eastenders tonight. Why total programme ban on both BBC1 and BBC2? Surely one BBC channel is suffice?

Ah, as night follows day the Meghan bashing is in full swing.

@Stichintime

I'm gutted there's no Eastenders tonight. Why total programme ban on both BBC1 and BBC2? Surely one BBC channel is suffice?

Are you serious?

@VladmirsPoutine

Ah, as night follows day the Meghan bashing is in full swing.

FFS people are allowed to have an opinion.

They have however been shielding together for the last year.

Hardly in a one bed flat, though. Or even a large detached house.

I think most people are overestimating the impact on the Queen.

FFS people are allowed to have an opinion.

If opinion is synonymous for wild speculation.

@Lweji

They have however been shielding together for the last year.

Hardly in a one bed flat, though. Or even a large detached house.

I think most people are overestimating the impact on the Queen.

Exactly. He was 99 years old - he had a good innings and lead a very privileged life. The kind of privilege that most people can't even imagine.

My dad died in an accident at 38, that's a life cut short. Whilst I feel sorry for Philip's close family, as I would for anyone who had lost a family member, I'm finding it difficult to get too worked up about it.

mermaidsariel, well yes I am being serious. Why total blackout on the whole of the BBC? Surely one channels enough?

@Stichintime

I'm gutted there's no Eastenders tonight. Why total programme ban on both BBC1 and BBC2? Surely one BBC channel is suffice?

I've just checked the BBC1 schedule on iplayer. Bloody Hell! I was expecting extended news programmes but as his death was covered all afternoon, I'd expected some of the normal programmes would still be shown.

News special for the whole evening seems really over the top, especially having the same programme on both BBC1 and BBC2.

I was looking forward to the new series of Have I Got News For You. Looks like it's Netflix or Prime tonight.

Hardly in a one bed flat, though. Or even a large detached house.

I think the apartment at Windsor is smaller than a lot of people assume. And they’ve been very strictly sticking to it.

I think most people are overestimating the impact on the Queen.

I don’t think you can over-estimate the loss of someone a 94-year-old woman has known for 80ish years. Even if he was just a friend it would be a devastating loss.

I think it's entirely fitting they give over the evening's programming to the D of E. I for one will be watching!

News special for the whole evening is totally OTT.

You can’t even turn on any radio station without morbid songs on either.

A 99 year old gentleman has died.

It’s not that much of a story.

I don’t think you can over-estimate the loss of someone a 94-year-old woman has known for 80ish years. Even if he was just a friend it would be a devastating loss.

I would find trouble being devasted by the death of a cheating husband. Even one I didn't divorce.
I have no idea about how close they were, but devastation I find it hard to believe.

He was someone she could one hundred per cent depend on and trust. Of course this will be devastating for her. They were blessed to be together so long though.

@Stichintime

You mean to tell me you won’t be crying all evening watching the news to inform us all a 99 year old has passed away?

Good lord, is your soul black?

You know maybe the Queen is actually feeling grateful she got to spend so long with her husband? Not everyone feels devastated.

I've been told I am disgusting for even suggesting the impact on the Queen may not be as great as some are speculating