The Royals “agree a rota” to visit grieving monarch

With the Queen about to mark her first birthday without her beloved husband, the royal family have put in place a plan to help the monarch.

Princess Anne, Princess Royal during the funeral of Prince Philip. Picture by Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Royals have “agreed a rota to visit the Queen ahead of her birthday” as the monarch grieves the death of Prince Philip.

Members of the family will take it in turns to visit Queen Elizabeth for walks in Windsor along with her two new corgi puppies.

The Queen, who turns 95 on April 21, has said she was “coping” after having attended the funeral of her devoted husband of 73 years on Saturday.

She was spotted on Sunday driving out of Windsor Castle in a green Jaguar.

:Queen Elizabeth II sat alone throughout the funeral of Prince Philip. Picture: Jonathan Brady /WPA Pool/Getty Images

The plan to support the Queen is said to have been formed by the female leading figures in the family, including her daughter Princess Anne, daughters-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall and the Countess of Wessex, supported by the Duchess of Cambridge.

Princess Anne during the funeral of Prince Philip. Picture – Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen is expected to have a series of regular visitors as she stays at Windsor Castle, where she has remained for most of the past 13 months as the coronavirus pandemic swept across the country.

A source told the Mirror: “The Queen will not be alone.

“She will have others who care about her deeply and want to be there to support her in her most pressing hour.

“In typical fashion the Queen has insisted she is coping and despite the suggestion she had prepared herself for this day to come, everyone is well aware there is nothing like the experience when it comes.”

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during the funeral of Prince Philip. Picture: Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images

The involvement of Prince Harry, if any, in the plan is uncertain but it’s thought he could stay in the country for his grandmother’s birthday after leaving his return flight to Los Angeles open.

The Duke of Sussex, 36, jetted into Heathrow eight days ago and self-isolated at Frogmore Cottage in Home Park at Windsor before he was cleared to attend Saturday’s funeral.

Harry’s ticket means he could fly back to the Californian home he shares with pregnant wife Meghan, 39, and 23-month-old Archie at any time.

Our source said: “If all goes well, he could stay for the Queen’s birthday.”

Nearly 14 million viewers in the UK tuned in to watch the funeral of Prince Philip which was held under Covid conditions, meaning only 30 guests could attend.

Prince Charles is expected to visit his mother sometime this week, driving from his country home Highgrove in Gloucester, some 90-minutes away.

Prince Charles and Princess Anne during the funeral of Prince Philip. Picture – Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Countess of Wessex has planned on a number of visits in the coming days, along with her children Louise, 17, and James, 13.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex and her two children at the funeral of Prince Philip. Picture – Steve Parsons / POOL / AFP)

Princess Anne will also visit, coming from her home in Gloucestershire, Gatcombe Park.

The Duchess of Cambridge, who returned to London with Prince William and their three children, is said to have lined up a number of video calls.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission.