Queen is supported by loyal lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey

The grief-stricken Queen is supported by her loyal lady-in-waiting Susan Hussey as she lays her husband of 73 years to rest at funeral

  • Monarch arrived as national anthem played and the royal Bentley stopped next to beloved husband’s coffin  
  • Was then driven to St George’s Chapel with her lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey, 81, before being sat alone 
  • Lady Hussey, 81, is the is the fifth and youngest daughter of Geoffrey Waldegrave, the 12th Earl Waldegrave 

The Queen wiped her eyes as she accompanied Prince Philip’s coffin on its final journey from Windsor Castle to St George’s Chapel today – where she had to sit alone due to Covid restrictions. 

The 94-year-old monarch arrived as the national anthem played and the royal Bentley stopped next to her beloved husband’s coffin, where she poignantly paused for a moment of reflection as cannons fired and bells tolled in remembrance of the duke. 

She was then driven to St George’s Chapel with her lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey, 81, before being sat alone in a row of wooden stalls while her husband of 73 years was laid to rest.

Lady Hussey is the is the fifth and youngest daughter of Geoffrey Waldegrave, 12th Earl Waldegrave and Mary Hermione, Countess Waldegrave, and was married to the late BBC chairman Marmaduke Hussey. 

Such is her bond with the royal family that Lady Susan is one of the Duke of Cambridge’s godparents, and also attended his confirmation in 1997.

During the past year she joined the Queen and Philip in HMS Bubble as one of about 20 staff who cared for the royal couple in lockdown at Windsor Castle.

Queen Elizabeth had to sit alone inside St George’s Chapel for her husband’s funeral service due to coronavirus restrictions 

Her Majesty stands alone, head bowed, in the chapel as her husband’s coffin was carried into the church to be laid to rest

Her Majesty, with tears in her eyes, looks on after she had a moment of quiet reflection by her husband’s coffin

The Queen wipes a tear from her eyes as she arrives behind her husband’s coffin as Prince Philip’s funeral began this afternoon

The Queen walked alone into the church as she begins life without her husband of 73 years

The masked Queen, wearing a mask and dressed in all black, is led to her seat in the chapel where she sat alone

The Queen arrives behind her husband’s coffin as his funeral began this afternoon

Lady Susan Hussey, 82, also acts as a senior Lady-in-waiting to the Queen. 

She is the is the fifth and youngest daughter of Geoffrey Waldegrave, 12th Earl Waldegrave and Mary Hermione, Countess Waldegrave, and was married to the late BBC chairman Marmaduke Hussey. 

Like all ladies-in-waiting, Lady Susan accompanies Her Majesty on engagements and organises her diary, as well as dealing with her correspondence. She is not paid for her services.

She has been described by royal sources as ‘very approachable’ and ‘tries to help in any way she can’.  

Lady Susan is godmother to Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge. 

Already Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (DCVO), she was promoted to Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) in the 2013 Birthday Honours.   

Today, she accompanied the Queen in the State Bentley as she left the castle to join the rear of the procession carrying Philip’s coffin to St George’s Chapel.

Although entering the chapel, Lady Susan was there as a working household member and not one of the 30 guests.

Remaining nearby in case the Queen should need her, Lady Susan was not seated with the Windsors in the Quire, nor in the Nave, but elsewhere in the chapel.

Ladies-in-waiting are the unsung members of the Queen’s household and are personally chosen by the monarch.

They have a variety of duties including attending to private and personal matters for the Queen and handling her correspondence.

They also assist the Queen on official engagements, from handing her money to being passed the bouquets of flowers presented to her.

In 2001, Lady Susan passed the Queen a pound coin so she could buy The Big Issue from a magazine seller while on an official day trip to Brighton.

She has also been present at unique moments in history – such as on the Spirit of Chartwell barge with the Queen and other members of the royal family for the Diamond Jubilee river pageant on the Thames in 2012.

This is the funeral procession for tomorrow’s funeral, where William and Harry will not stand next to eachother with the Queen following behind in her car

Lady Hussey is the is the fifth and youngest daughter of Geoffrey Waldegrave, 12th Earl Waldegrave and Mary Hermione, Countess Waldegrave, and was married to the late BBC chairman Marmaduke Hussey

The Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex, who have a troubled relationship, did not walk shoulder to shoulder with their cousin Peter Phillips between them

The Royal Family’s procession was led by Prince Charles and Princess Anne who looked emotional following the casket

Prince Philip’s coffin has emerged from Windsor Castle as the Royal Family joined the Queen in mourning her husband at his funeral

The Duke of Edinburgh’s casket was covered in his personal standard and carried his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers as masked pallbearers lowered him on to his extraordinary self-designed Land Rover hearse

Ladies-in-waiting often serve the Queen for more than 50 years and act as both friends and loyal assistants, and their discretion and support will be invaluable as the Queen mourns.

The late Marmaduke Hussey, who died in 2006, was BBC chairman when Diana, Princess of Wales gave her 1995 Panorama interview but, in accordance with tradition, he was not given a preview.

“Duke” Hussey was a leading newspaper industry executive for decades, taking the prestigious BBC post when he retired from News International.

Lady Susan is also a sister of the former Tory Cabinet minister William Waldegrave.  

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.

They 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.

Some of the ladies-in-waiting have been with the Queen for more than 50 years and act as both friends and loyal assistants, and their discretion and support will be invaluable.       

Members of the military march ahead of the funeral service at Prince Philip’s Windsor home

The detachments of service personnel from the military units the duke had a special relationship assembled on the green of the castle’s quadrangle – while lining its edge are troops from the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards

The Foot Guards Band are seen marching ahead of the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle

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