Prince Philip's death 'peaceful' like 'someone took him by the hand' says Sophie, Countess of Wessex
Prince Philip's death was "peaceful" and happened "like someone took him by the hand and off he went".
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, described the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh to well-wishers and the media after attending a memorial service at Windsor on Sunday.
"It's such a shock but at the same time you know it's going to happen, but when it happens it's just this massive, massive hole," the countess, who is married to Prince Edward, said.
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex with their daughter Lady Louise Windsor, during a television interview at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor, on April 11, following the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Getty
"It was right for him and it was so gentle, it was just like someone took him by the hand and off he went. It was very, very peaceful and that's all you want for somebody, isn't it?"
Prince Philip died on Friday, April 9, at Windsor Castle with the Queen by his side.
Sophie said Her Majesty was "thinking of others before herself".
She added: "So I think it is so much easier for the person that goes than the people who are left behind. We are all sitting here looking at each other going 'this is awful'.
"But equally, look at all the tributes. It's just amazing."
She also shared a joke, referencing the manicured lawns of the church yard.
Pointing to the sky, Sophie said: "Well we know if (staff) had not done such a great job, there is one person who would have noticed".
Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sophie, Countess of Wessex talk to Crown Estate staff as they attend Sunday service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor on April 11. Getty
The Earl and Countess of Wessex, and their daughter Lady Louise Windsor, attended the Sunday service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor.
Accompanying them was Prince Andrew who said the Queen had described her husband's death as "having left huge void".
READ MORE: Prince Charles pays tribute to 'dear papa' as Prince Philip's funeral is confirmed
Her Majesty is believed to have attended a mass privately in Windsor Castle on Sunday.
The Duke of York said: "[The Queen] described it as having left a huge void in her life but we, the family, the ones that are close, are rallying round to make sure that we're there to support her."
Queen Elizabeth has described the death of Prince Philip as “having left huge void". Getty
The service was the first time Prince Andrew and Prince Edward had been seen in public since the death of their father on April 9.
Prince Edward said his passing had been "a bit of a shock".
"However much one tries to prepare oneself for something like this it's still a dreadful shock.
"And we're still trying to come to terms with that. And it's very, very sad.
"But I have to say that the extraordinary tribute and the memories that everybody has had and been willing to share has been so fantastic.
"And it just goes to show, he might have been our father, grandfather, father-in-law, but he meant so much to so many other people."
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