Grieving Princess Anne cuts a sombre figure as she visits the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes five days after her father Prince Philip died aged 99
- Princess Royal, 70, seen wearing sunglasses and a black coat on Isle of Wight
- Is first time she has been seen in public since Prince Philip’s death on Friday
- Issued moving statement paying tribute to father as her ‘teacher and supporter’
Princess Anne cut a sombre figure today as she visited the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight – five days after her father Prince Philip passed away aged 99.
The Princess Royal, 70, was seen wearing sunglasses and a black coat on her first public appearance – and royal engagement – since the Duke of Edinburgh died in his sleep at Windsor Castle.
The visit will be particularly poignant for Anne because her father Prince Philip was a long-time member of the Royal Yacht Squadron, a former commodore, and Admiral until his death last week.
On Sunday, Anne – the Queen, 94, and Prince Philip’s only daughter and second eldest child – issued a moving statement admitting she was ‘not ready’ for her father’s passing.
Princess Anne cut a sombre figure today as she visited the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, Isle of Wight – five days after her father Prince Philip passed away aged 99
The Princess Royal, 70, was seen wearing sunglasses and a black coat on her first public appearance since the Duke of Edinburgh’s death
The royal wore dark sunglasses for much of the visit to the Royal Yacht Squadron today, where she was offered a tour of the boat and spoke with staff.
She paired the dark coat with a black pair of trousers and donned black leather gloves for the occasion.
Prince Philip was an active member of the club, hosting an annual cocktail party on board for Isle of Wight dignitaries and public servants as part of his lifelong commitment to encouraging all those who served the community in any role.
It marks her first appearance since her father died on Friday, with the royal releasing a powerful statement days later.
Anne, 70, was back to work today – her first royal engagement since her father, the Duke of Edinburgh, died in his sleep at Windsor Castle last week
Describing Prince Philip as her ‘teacher, supporter and critic’, she said: ‘You know it’s going to happen but you are never really ready.
‘My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic, but mostly it is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate.
‘His ability to treat every person as an individual in their own right with their own skills comes through all the organisations with which he was involved.
‘I regard it as an honour and a privilege to have been asked to follow in his footsteps and it has been a pleasure to have kept him in touch with their activities.
In a statement issued following his death, Anne said it was a ‘honour and a privilege’ to have been asked to follow in her father’s footsteps
Princess Anne looks up as she visits the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight today
‘I know how much he meant to them, in the UK, across the Commonwealth and in the wider world.
‘I would like to emphasise how much the family appreciate the messages and memories of so many people whose lives he also touched. We will miss him but he leaves a legacy which can inspire us all.’
Anne is among the senior royals who are coming together to ensure the Queen will not be left to ‘walk alone’ following the death of her beloved husband of 73 years and is accompanied by a member of the family on future public engagements.
Anne is among the senior royals who are coming together to ensure the Queen will not be left to ‘walk alone’ following the death of her beloved husband of 73 years
Sources stressed that Her Majesty, who says Prince Philip’s death has left a ‘huge void’ in her life, will fulfil as many commitments as possible once the two weeks of official mourning ends on April 22 – the day after her 95th birthday.
They point out that she has always undertaken solo engagements, both before and after her husband officially retired in 2017.
But it is understood there is a concerted effort under way to ensure she has more support in the future.
Sources stressed that Her Majesty, who says Prince Philip’s death has left a ‘huge void’ in her life, will fulfil as many commitments as possible once the two weeks of official mourning ends on April 22 – the day after her 95th birthday. Pictured: Anne today
The Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh shared a special bond and a ‘just get on with it’ approach to life (pictured together at the London Olympics in 2012)