Queen Elizabeth II Receives Newly Bred Rose In Honor Of Late Husband Prince Philip's 100th Birthday
A sweet tribute. Queen Elizabeth II has been given a newly bred rose named after late husband Prince Philip to celebrate what would have been the Duke of Edinburgh's 100th birthday.
The Queen was pictured last week as the pink rose — created by rose breeders Harkness Roses — was planted in Windsor Castle gardens.
The president of the Royal Horticultural Society, Keith Weed, said that presenting the rose to the queen was "poignant" but a delight to remember Philip's "remarkable life" as a conservationist.
"The duke’s devotion to raising public awareness of the importance of conserving the natural world leaves a lasting legacy," Weed said in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace.
The Queen will reportedly be spending the centenary on Thursday, June 10, "privately" and said the flower "looked lovely" when it was planted, PEOPLE reported.
For every Duke of Edinburgh Rose sold, Harkness Roses will reportedly donate $3.50 (£2.50) to a fund to help a million more young people take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, which Philip set up in 1956.
Philip was also honored by Prince William and Kate Middleton. "Today we remember His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, on what would have been his 100th birthday," the Cambridges tweeted.
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Earlier this week, Philip's youngest son, Prince Edward, opened up about his father's death and centenary.
The 57-year-old said that the royal family would have "loved" Philip to be able to celebrate the occasion, even if the Duke didn't feel the same. "He didn’t really want all the fuss and bother," Edward told BBC.
Edward described the funeral — which was vastly different to typical royal funerals due to the coronavirus pandemic — as "extraordinary" but "strange."
"Everybody will have their own memories," Edward recalled. "He was that sort of larger-than-life person. Once met, never forgotten."
In December, palace insiders previously said that Philip wanted "nothing to do with" his 100th birthday prior to his passing on April 9, according to the Daily Express.
"I can't imagine anything worse," he reportedly said in 2000 when asked about the Queen, who is 95, turning 100. "Bits of me are falling off already."
Later this month, Prince Philip: A Celebration will open on June 24 at Windsor Castle. The exhibit will feature 150 important items from throughout his life, including the robe he wore to his wife's 1953 coronation.
