Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are an "inspiration", according to Reverend John R Hall, Dean of Westminster.
The 91-year-old monarch and her husband celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Monday (20.11.17), and the Dean of Westminster – who performed the wedding ceremony for their grandson Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge – has heaped praise on the couple’s lasting love.
Speaking in a BBC One special entitled ‘Elizabeth & Philip: Love & Duty’ which aired on Monday, he said: "[They are] an inspiration, not just to their family but to us all. Their union is a rock, and it is impossible to imagine what it would be like without them."
And the Reverend – who also had the honour of taking the service for the pair’s diamond wedding celebration service in 2007 – believes the key to the couple’s seven decades of happiness has been the "love" they share for one another.
He said: "They were very much in love. It was a love match – and that’s been very important. [They have] a deeply loyal sense of duty which is bolstered and uplifting by their faith."
Despite reaching the impressive milestone, Queen Elizabeth and her 96-year-old spouse decided last month that they would not have a public celebration for their wedding anniversary, because they were said to be content with having a "private affair".
A source said at the time: "Any celebration will be a private, family affair. There will be no public event."
Elizabeth and Philip previously marked their silver, golden and diamond wedding anniversaries with national services of thanksgiving, which were held at London’s Westminster Abbey.
Whilst no public ceremony took place this year, the pair have had double-headed platinum coins released to mark the occasion, as well as a new portrait, commemorative stamps, and a collection red and gold glassware and china.
Elizabeth and Philip tied the knot on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey, and they received more than 2,500 gifts from around the world.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are ‘inspirational’
