Queen Elizabeth receives touching gift to mark Philip’s 100th birthday
Getty Images
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who passed away on April 9th at the age of 99, is being remembered today on what would have been his 100th birthday. Queen Elizabeth II marked the occasion by planting a newly-bred pink rose in Philip’s honour, which was gifted to her in an emotional ceremony.
The flower, named the Duke of Edinburgh Rose, was bestowed to her last week by the president of the Royal Horticultural Society (of which the monarch is a patron). Bred specifically after the Duke passed in April, the rose has been planted in the East Terrace Garden of Windsor Castle.
Her Majesty was pictured smiling as she received the small rose bush from Keith Weed, president of the Royal Horticultural Society, who commented on the emotional moment.
“Whilst being very poignant, it was also a delight to give Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, the Duke of Edinburgh Rose to mark what would have been HRH The Duke of Edinburgh's 100th birthday and to remember his remarkable life," Weed said in a statement. "The Duke's devotion to raising public awareness of the importance of conserving the natural world leaves a lasting legacy."
A palace source told People the Queen will be spending Thursday “privately.”
The beautiful pink rose with dulcet lines of white won’t remain solely in the garden of Windsor Castle, however. The roses will be for sale from Harkness Roses company, and for every rose sold, they will donate £2.50 (approximately $3.50) to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Living Legacy Fund, which aims to help more young people take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, a popular youth award program set up by Philip in 1956.
Other members of the Royal Family also took part in the Prince’s commemoration, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, tweeting a photograph of Queen Elizabeth admiring Philip’s rose in the garden.
Prince Philip’s son, Prince Charles, the Duke of Cornwall, also posted to Twitter, in remembrance of his father.
“Remembering The Duke of Edinburgh, on what would have been his 100th birthday,” the post read.
Philip, who was Greek royalty, was a direct descendant of Queen Victoria, as is Queen Elizabeth (yes, making them cousins). They married five years before she ascended to the throne and the marriage lasted 73 years until his death. Philip was Britain's longest-serving royal consort. He retired from royal duties in 2017 at the age of 96. He and the Queen have four children, eight grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
BEFORE YOU GO: Royal family reacts to birth of Meghan and Harry’s new baby
[video_embed id='2217174']BEFORE YOU GO: Royal family reacts to birth of Meghan and Harry’s new baby[/video_embed]
