A deeply personal letter written by Queen Elizabeth II in the days after Prince Philipâs death has resurfaced online, leaving royal fans moved by the late monarchâs quiet words of gratitude and grief.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were married for 73 years until his death in 2021(Image: Getty Images)
The note, dated April 2021, was sent shortly after the Duke of Edinburgh died at the age of 99. Philip had been married to the Queen for 73 years, making their partnership one of the most enduring love stories in modern royal history. From their wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1947 to Elizabethâs accession to the throne in 1952, he remained a constant presence beside her through decades of public duty and private challenge.
The letter was addressed to William Inglis, who was then serving as estate factor at Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland. Glamis held deep family meaning for the Queen: it was the childhood home of her mother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and the birthplace of Princess Margaret in 1930.
In the typed portion of the letter, the Queen thanked Mr Inglis for his message of sympathy following Philipâs death. She reflected on the Dukeâs long life, saying the family should be grateful that he had lived so fully and given encouragement to so many people. She also described him as an inspiration, particularly to members of his family who would miss him deeply.
The most touching detail came in the Queenâs own handwriting. Beneath the typed message, she personally added thanks to everyone at Glamis for their kind thoughts, signing the note simply as âElizabeth.â For many royal watchers, that small handwritten addition made the letter feel even more intimate.
After the correspondence was shared on social media, fans responded with emotion. Some praised the late Queen as a true icon, while others said the note reminded them how much she is still missed. The resurfaced letter has also brought renewed attention to the extraordinary bond between Elizabeth and Philip, who stood together through major national events, family crises and personal milestones.
Their marriage lasted from 1947 until Philipâs death in April 2021. During that time, the couple faced historic moments including Elizabeth becoming Queen at just 25, the Aberfan disaster, and the difficult year she famously called her âannus horribilisâ in 1992, when Windsor Castle was damaged by fire and three of her childrenâs marriages broke down.
Philipâs death certificate listed old age as the cause of death. Reports have also noted that his full name and heritage were recorded formally, including his Greek and Danish royal background and the surname Mountbatten.
For royal fans, however, the newly resurfaced letter is less about official records and more about emotion. In a few measured sentences, Queen Elizabeth captured the loss of a husband, the gratitude of a family and the dignity that defined her reign. Years later, her words still carry the power to move those who admired both her service and her lifelong devotion to Philip.
