Queen Elizabeth's Former Secretary Predicts The Matriarch Is Staying 'Steady & Calm' In The Wake Of Prince Philip's Death
Though Queen Elizabeth II's husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, passed away at age 99 on April 9, her former secretary Charles Anson assured the public that she's strong enough to handle the mourning process, especially since his death didn't come as a total shock.
"She would have thought about this moment several times, and her way would be to remain as steady and as calm as possible," Anson told PEOPLE, referring to the Duke of Edinburgh's multitude of recent health woes. "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 continued. "But for any human being, this is a very cathartic moment."
Thankfully, the matriarch "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," Anson added.
While talking to PEOPLE, Anson recalled how Philip seamlessly blended in with the royal family.
"There were some things they had to deal with together that were difficult, but it was a long marriage with a great deal of happiness," he shared. "He took very seriously his role as a support for the Queen as monarch."
Elizabeth's confidante also referred to the patriarch as a "strong outward-looking man of action."
"He was a natural of his generation to be at his wife's side," Anson declared. "He very quickly came to terms to watching to be in that role of support as well as running his own life."
The royal family paid tribute to Philip on social media following his passing.
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"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 statement said. "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."
