Queen Elizabeth and her husband Philip have been married for 70 years! This year they celebrated at Windsor Castle, the royal family toasting this amazing milestone. It is a bittersweet anniversary–the Queen is 91 and Philip is 96.
The Queen lost her cousin and close friend Margaret last year, followed by one of her bridesmaids Elizabeth Longman not long after.
The couple was married in November of 1947 at Westminster Abbey. It was the first royal wedding to be broadcast on television worldwide.
They celebrated their 70th anniversary milestone in a low-key way with a small gathering of family. The Abbey where Elizabeth was crowned will, however, mark the occasion with a sequenced peal of bells that will last more than 3 hours.
Prince Harry said of his grandpa and grandma, “Regardless of whether my grandfather seems to be doing his own thing, sort of wandering off like a fish down the river, the fact that he’s there – I personally don’t think that she could do it without him.” The Queen has often referred to Phil as her ‘rock.’
The pair know that they are getting advanced in years and their remaining time together may be limited. Prince Philip has even declared an end to his public engagements. “They will be stiff upper lip in public and keep their own emotions behind it,” a former staffer told People magazine.” They are both deeply religious people and it won’t take them by surprise.”
Queen Elizabeth is also winding down her official duties. She will not take party in Remembrance Sunday, where she usually places a wreath in honor of passed British soldiers. Prince Charles, her son, is set to take over most of the elderly couple’s duties.