Prince Philip health: Duke misses Lena Tindall’s christening as Queen attends alone
PRINCE Philip didn’t join the Queen at the christening of Zara and Mike Tindall’s baby Lena, two months after he was involved in a horrific car crash.
Prince Philip surrenders driving licence after crash says expert
Queen Elizabeth II was seen arriving alone at St Nicholas Church in Cherington, Gloucestershire, to attend the christening of nine-month-old Lena on Sunday. The Duke of Edinburgh was one of the most noticeable absentees of the day, together with Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. His absence sparked concerns about the Duke’s health, who has rarely been seen in public since becoming the unwilling protagonist of a car crash in January.
Despite his car flipped on one side and was heavily damaged, Prince Philip was not injured in the road accident, which took place near the Queen’s Sandringham Estate.
But the crash left him “shocked and very, very shaken”.
Less than a month later, the Duke decided to surrender his driving licence, despite this meant giving up on his independence.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: "After careful consideration, the Duke of Edinburgh has taken the decision to voluntarily surrender his driving licence."
READ MORE: Meghan Markle joins godfather Harry and Queen for Zara's daughter Lena's christening
However, Prince Philip’s decision not to attend the christening may simply reflect his desire to take upon himself fewer commitments.
In 2017, aged 96, the Duke of Edinburgh retired from royal duties, meaning he decided to stop being a working royal and carry out public engagements.
Ever since, he has also missed private ceremonies and gatherings, including the christening of another family member, Prince Louis, the youngest son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The Queen had also decided not to attend that ceremony.
Buckingham Palace told Express.co.uk Lena’s christening was a “private family event” and didn’t comment on Prince Philip’s absence.
The Queen attended the “low-key” ceremony wearing a classy pearl-coloured coat and matching hat, black gloves and her signature handbag, which could be clearly seen underneath the transparent umbrella she used to repair herself from the light rain.
The Queen’s daughter and grandmother of baby Lena, Princess Anne, the mother and father of the child, Mike and Zara Tindall, and the Princess Royal’s former husband, Captain Mark Philips, were also seen outside the Grande-I listed church.
Heavily pregnant Meghan Markle and Prince Harry also showed up, as the Duke of Sussex became the godfather of the nine-month-old baby.
The pair, whose firstborn is due within weeks, looked cosy and never left each other’s side while they were outside the church.
Meghan covered her baby bump wearing a thick vintage-style buttoned coat, which she paired with a small black hat and a matching handbag.