Prince Philip Queen Elizabeth
1953: Queen Elizabeth II waving from the balcony at Buckingham Palace with her husband Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Prince Philip died on Friday, April 9, age 99. Sophie, the Countess of Wessex has since revealed the final moments of the Prince’s life and described his passing as “gentle.”

“It was right for him,” she told reporters following a Sunday church service in Windsor. “It was so gentle. It was just like somebody took him by the hand and off he went. Very, very peaceful. And that’s all you want for somebody isn’t it?”

Sophie Wessex is married to the late Duke of Edinburgh’s son, Prince Edward. The Countess joined fellow members of the Royal Family for a service on Sunday. Prince Edward reflected on his father’s passing as a “shock”.

“It’s been a bit of a shock. However much one tries to prepare oneself for this it’s still a dreadful shock and we’re still trying to come to terms with that,” the Prince told reporters.

Overnight, Princess Anne – daughter of Prince Philip – released a statement on the Royal Family’s Instagram page revealing, “You know it’s going to happen but you are never really ready.”

“My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic, but mostly it is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate,” she continued. “His ability to treat every person as an individual in their own right with their own skills comes through all the organizations with which he was involved.”

The Duke of Edinburgh holds the title as the longest-serving royal consort in British history. As such, he is entitled to a state funeral although it is believed the Prince refused one.

The funeral will take place at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday, April 17, 3pm local time (or midnight AEST). It is set to be televised with just 30 guests allowed to attend due to the ongoing health risk in the United Kingdom. Stay tuned for further details as they arise.