The Queen Is Finding Reasons to Smile Because Prince Philip Wouldn't Want Her to "Sit Around Mourning Him"

A royal expert explains why Queen Elizabeth II is focused on finding reasons to smile following the death of her husband, Prince Philip.

windsor, england july 3 queen elizabeth ii during the royal windsor horse show 2021 at windsor castle on july 3, 2021 in windsor, england photo by mark cuthbertuk press via getty images
(Image credit: Mark Cuthbert)
  • This weekend, royal fans noticed that Queen Elizabeth II was all smiles during not just one, but two appearances at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Windsor.
  • Royal author Phil Dampier says the Queen's focus on living life to the fullest is in line with what her late husband, Prince Philip, would have wanted for her after his passing.
  • "I’m sure she was devastated by his passing—after all they were married for 73 years," Dampier explained in a recent interview. "But I’m sure that he told her to enjoy what was left of her own life. He would not want her to sit around mourning him like Queen Victoria did for Albert, and I bet he would want her to carry on living life to the full."

Queen Elizabeth II is focused on living her life to the fullest since the death of her late husband, Prince Philip.

In an interview with the Daily Mail's FEMAIL, royal author Phil Dampier said the Queen was, understandably, "devastated" by Philip's death, but is determined to "live life to the full" because that's what he would have wanted for her.

"Some might think it is strange that she is so happy so soon after Prince Philip’s death, but I think there is a simple explanation," Dampier explained. "I’m sure she was devastated by his passing—after all they were married for 73 years. But I’m sure that he told her to enjoy what was left of her own life. He would not want her to sit around mourning him like Queen Victoria did for Albert, and I bet he would want her to carry on living life to the full."

The monarch illustrated this life philosophy this weekend, when she made not just one, but two appearances at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Here she is, having the time of her life on Saturday, July 3 as she watched her horse "First Receiver" compete in—and win, NBD—the Retired Racehorses - RoR Open In Hand Show Series Qualifier Class on day 3 of the Horse Show:

windsor, united kingdom july 03 embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 24 hours after create date and time queen elizabeth ii watches her horse first receiver compete in and win the retired racehorses ror open in hand show series qualifier class on day 3 of the royal windsor horse show in home park, windsor castle on july 3, 2021 in windsor, england photo by max mumbyindigogetty images

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo)

And here she is again on July 4, beaming as she watched her horse "Fools Paradise" compete in the Small Riding Horse class on day 4 of the event:

windsor, united kingdom july 04 embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 24 hours after create date and time queen elizabeth ii watches her horse fools paradise compete in the small riding horse class on day 4 of the royal windsor horse show in home park, windsor castle on july 4, 2021 in windsor, england photo by max mumbyindigogetty images

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo)

The Queen and Philip had been married for 73 years when he died in April, following increasing struggles with his health that culminated in a month-long hospitalization shortly before his death.

Dampier added that the Queen had found "new energy" as coronavirus restrictions have lessened—something else that might be helping her find reasons to smile after losing Philip.

"It’s been fantastic to see the Queen is such good form in recent weeks. She seems happy and relaxed and it’s a joy to see her smiling face," Dampier said. "I think she is just delighted to be out of lockdown like the rest of us, and getting out and about doing the things she loves. "She has her social life and you could see how happy she was to be at the Windsor Horse Show, one of her favorite events of the year, four days running. She meets up with old friends and loves to catch up on gossip, as well as spend time with her own family."

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london, united kingdom december 19 embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 24 hours after create date and time prince harry, duke of sussex attends a christmas lunch for members of the royal family hosted by queen elizabeth ii at buckingham palace on december 19, 2018 in london, england photo by max mumbyindigogetty images

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo)
Weekend Editor at Cosmopolitan

Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.