The Queen has bid a sad farewell to her aunt Alice, who died last week at the age of 102. She was joined by her husband and children for the private funeral ceremony in Windsor Castle's St George Chapel.
Her Majesty, dressed in black, stood alongside Prince Philip, Prince Charles and the Earl and Countess Wessex at the service. The Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra were also there to offer their support to Alice's son Richard, the Duke of Gloucester.
His mother's coffin, draped in a royal standard and white roses, was borne from the chapel by members of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, the regiment of which Alice was Colonel-in-Chief.
The Prince of Wales left a floral tribute with a note reading: "Dearest Aunt Alice, with fondest and affectionate memories, Charles, William and Harry." A wreath of roses and freesias laid by the Queen, meanwhile, carried the message: "In loving memory - Lilibet and Philip".
Alice was the oldest member of the Royal Family in history, but she had not been seen in public for several years. Her life had been marked by tragedy, as she lost her eldest son, William, in a plane crash in 1972. Two years later her husband also passed away, after suffering a series of strokes.
The Princess, who had a passion for travel and spent time in India, Kenya and Afghanistan, died in her sleep on October 29. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, and her grandchildren Lady Rose Windsor, Lady Davina Lewis and the Earl of Ulster
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
