The Queen has been photographed alongside the Duke of Edinburgh today leaving Aberdeen airport after he was forced to pull out of attending yesterday’s Battle of Jutland’s commemoration.
Prince Philip was given medical advice not to attend the commemoration and both he and the Queen are understood to have spent the weekend at Balmoral.
The commemorative service took place yesterday in Orkney, with the Princess Royal Anne representing the Royal family instead.
Regarded as the only full-scale clash of battleships in World War I, the encounter between the British Grand Fleet and German High Seas Fleet took place about 80 miles west of Denmark on May 31 and June 1 1916, lasting 36 hours.
More than 100,000 sailors on 250 warships – 151 British and 99 German – were involved. By the time the battle was over the Royal Navy had lost 14 ships, including three battle-cruisers which blew up.
The Germans lost 11 vessels, but just a single capital ship.
A message from the Duke of Edinburgh was carried in the order of service for the commemorations.
The message read: “There was, understandably, public disappointment with the result, but there is no doubt it was fought with the highest courage and determination under the most difficult and challenging circumstances.
“Whatever the judgement on the outcome, the commemoration of the centenary of the battle is focused on the endurance and gallantry of all those who took part, on both sides, and particularly on those who lost their lives.
“War may be senseless and the Battle of Jutland may have been inconclusive, but there can be no doubt that their sacrifice was not in vain.”
