The Queen could take a “step back” from her duties following the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, a royal historian has said.
Sarah Richardson, professor of modern British history at the University of Warwick, said that Philip’s passing could be a “turning point” in the future of the monarchy.
Ms Richardson also said the “poignant” service in Windsor on Saturday would have been an “ordeal” for the Queen.
“In some ways it would have been comforting for her that the Duke of Edinburgh played such a strong role in planning and organising the service but it must have been an ordeal at the very least.”
“To some extent this is the end of a period, the Queen will carry on and she will carry on doing her duty, she’s already gone back to work to some extent.
“I think she will step back more and more, she’s in her mid-90s, and seeing her there solely on her own, when she’s been accompanied by Philip for 70-odd years, I think it represents a turning point.”
The royal expert also said that the conversation at the end of the service between the Duke of Sussex and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would have been a “conscious decision” by the trio.
Ms Richardson said the Queen would want a “reuniting” but that William and Harry will need to have “discussions” going forward.
