Advertisement

Queen Elizabeth 'Has Been Amazing' Following Prince Philip's Death, Daughter-in-Law Sophie Says

Queen Elizabeth 'Has Been Amazing' Following Prince Philip's Death, Daughter-in-Law Sophie Says

Queen Elizabeth's daughter-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex is giving an update on how the monarch is coping following the death of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip.

On Saturday, Sophie and her husband Prince Edward, the Queen's youngest child with the Duke of Edinburgh, paid a visit to Windsor Castle.

As they left, Sophie, 56, tearfully told Sky News correspondent Rhiannon Mills that "the Queen has been amazing."

Prince Charles also paid his respects by visiting his mother on Friday, just hours after the Duke of Edinburgh "passed away peacefully" at Windsor Castle. Prince Andrew was also seen visiting on Saturday.

RELATED: Prince Charles Visited His Mother the Queen at Windsor Castle Hours After Prince Philip's Death

On Saturday morning, the official social media account for the monarch and her family members also shared a touching quote the Queen once said about her husband.

"He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know," she said about Philip in 1997.

Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Maureen McLean/Shutterstock Prince Edward and Sophie Countess of Wessex

Charles Anson, former press secretary to the Queen, told PEOPLE on Friday that the 94-year-old monarch was prepared for Philip's death after years of health troubles.

"She would have thought about this moment several times, and her way would be to remain as steady and as calm as possible," Anson said. "That comes naturally to her through her temperament and her experience."

"In my years of working for her she was always calm, no matter what was going on," he added. "But for any human being, this is a very cathartic moment."

Listen below to the episode of our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day where we are looking back at Prince Philip's life and legacy.

Anson said the Queen will be surrounded by the close members of her private household in the coming days.

"She has an enormous amount of family support for her and will also take comfort from the enormity of the support from all over the world," he said.

Watch Elizabeth & Philip: A Royal Romance – The True Story Behind the Crown on PeopleTV.com or on the PeopleTV app.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip

News of the Duke of Edinburgh's death at age 99 was announced on Friday.

"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," the palace said in a statement. "The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

The monarch will refrain from carrying out any royal duties for the next eight days as she enters a mourning period and funeral plans are set in motion. Affairs of state will also be put on pause.

In a statement, the palace said Friday, "During the coronavirus pandemic, and in light of current government advice and social distancing guidelines, modified funeral and ceremonial arrangements for His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh are being considered by Her Majesty The Queen. Details will be confirmed in due course."