Who Was By Queen Elizabeth II’s Side at Prince Philip’s Funeral? 5 Things to Know About Lady Susan Hussey

Credit: Alan Davidson/Shutterstock; Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Who Was By Queen Elizabeth II’s Side at Prince Philip’s Funeral? 5 Things to Know About Lady Susan Hussey

Royal confidant! Queen Elizabeth II was surrounded by her family and one special friend as she mourned the death of her husband, Prince Philip, on Saturday, April 17. While the queen, 94, sat alone during her late husband’s funeral service, her lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey was by her side driving to St George’s Chapel. Lady Susan, 81, was spotted sitting solemnly beside Her Majesty as the pair rode from Windsor Castle to the memorial before the monarch met up with her four children — Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — in addition to her eight grandchildren and most of their spouses. Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, watched the funeral from California as she was not given doctor’s clearance to fly amid the end of her second pregnancy. Harry, 36, however, was seen walking with his brother, Prince William, and William's wife, Duchess Kate, following the service, marking his first time being in the U.K. since his royal step back in early 2020 and his explosive tell-all interview with Meghan, 39, in March. The family was reunited one week after Philip died on April 9 at the age of 99. Buckingham Palace announced his passing with a statement. “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the family’s statement read at the time. “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.” [jwplayer CwvzXJYV-l3ahXupL] Over the last week, the royals celebrated the Duke of Edinburgh’s memory by sharing never-before-seen photos of his life, including a sweet photo of the royal patriarch with the queen in Scotland from 2003. “Her Majesty and the Royal Family are grateful for all the messages of condolence from around the world and have been touched to see and hear so many people sharing fond memories of The Duke, in celebration of his life,” the caption read. The royal family’s official Instagram account also posted a portrait from 2016, alongside a quote the monarch said in a speech during the pair’s 50th wedding anniversary in 1997. “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know,” the quote read. The queen mourned her beloved husband of 73 years on Saturday with only 30 close family members amid the coronavirus pandemic restrictions and guidelines. The royal matriarch, who also shared 10 great-grandchildren with the former naval cadet, placed a handwritten note on top of Philip’s casket before saying her final goodbye. “I love you,” the letter, which was written on the queen’s stationery, read. The note, as captured in photos and video at the service, also had “Lilibet,” a nickname the monarch was given when she was a child, written on it. Philip used the moniker as a term of endearment in his letters to his wife throughout their seven-decade marriage. Scroll down to learn more about one of the queen’s oldest friends. [podcast_block]

Credit: Alan Davidson/Shutterstock; Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Who Was By Queen Elizabeth II’s Side at Prince Philip’s Funeral? 5 Things to Know About Lady Susan Hussey

Royal confidant! Queen Elizabeth II was surrounded by her family and one special friend as she mourned the death of her husband, Prince Philip, on Saturday, April 17. While the queen, 94, sat alone during her late husband’s funeral service, her lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey was by her side driving to St George’s Chapel. Lady Susan, 81, was spotted sitting solemnly beside Her Majesty as the pair rode from Windsor Castle to the memorial before the monarch met up with her four children — Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — in addition to her eight grandchildren and most of their spouses. Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, watched the funeral from California as she was not given doctor’s clearance to fly amid the end of her second pregnancy. Harry, 36, however, was seen walking with his brother, Prince William, and William's wife, Duchess Kate, following the service, marking his first time being in the U.K. since his royal step back in early 2020 and his explosive tell-all interview with Meghan, 39, in March. The family was reunited one week after Philip died on April 9 at the age of 99. Buckingham Palace announced his passing with a statement. “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the family’s statement read at the time. “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.” [jwplayer CwvzXJYV-l3ahXupL] Over the last week, the royals celebrated the Duke of Edinburgh’s memory by sharing never-before-seen photos of his life, including a sweet photo of the royal patriarch with the queen in Scotland from 2003. “Her Majesty and the Royal Family are grateful for all the messages of condolence from around the world and have been touched to see and hear so many people sharing fond memories of The Duke, in celebration of his life,” the caption read. The royal family’s official Instagram account also posted a portrait from 2016, alongside a quote the monarch said in a speech during the pair’s 50th wedding anniversary in 1997. “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know,” the quote read. The queen mourned her beloved husband of 73 years on Saturday with only 30 close family members amid the coronavirus pandemic restrictions and guidelines. The royal matriarch, who also shared 10 great-grandchildren with the former naval cadet, placed a handwritten note on top of Philip’s casket before saying her final goodbye. “I love you,” the letter, which was written on the queen’s stationery, read. The note, as captured in photos and video at the service, also had “Lilibet,” a nickname the monarch was given when she was a child, written on it. Philip used the moniker as a term of endearment in his letters to his wife throughout their seven-decade marriage. Scroll down to learn more about one of the queen’s oldest friends. [podcast_block]

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

She’s the Senior Lady-in-Waiting

The British noblewoman, who is fondly called the “No. 1 Head Girl,” is Her Majesty’s senior lady-in-waiting. She assists the queen loyally, serving by her side at the Court Circular and often stepping in when Elizabeth cannot attend events. Like many in her position, she doesn’t get paid for her role.

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She Was Married to the Late Marmaduke Hussey

Lady Susan was married to the former BBC chairman from April 1959 until his death in December 2006. The couple welcomed son James in 1961 and daughter Katharine in 1964.

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She Is Prince William’s Godmother

Susan is one of William’s six godparents. His other two godmothers are the queen’s cousin Princess Alexandra and his late mother Princess Diana’s close friend the Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster. His godfathers are King Constantine II (Philip’s cousin), Lord Romsey (Prince Charles’ late uncle) and Sir Laurens van der Post.

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She’s Known the Queen for More Than 60 Years

The loyal friend joined the queen’s staff in 1960 when Prince Andrew was born. She was originally employed to help the household answer a flood of letters. At the time, she was given the title of Queen’s Woman of the Bedchamber.

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She Is the Youngest Daughter of the 12th Earl Waldegrave

The loyal royal confidant is the fifth and youngest daughter of the 12th Earl Waldegrave and his wife, Mary Hermione, Countess Waldegrave.