The Daily Star’s FREE newsletter is spectacular! Sign up today for the best stories straight to your inbox
The Queen is breaking a centuries-old royal tradition as she mourns her husband Prince Philip.
Unlike other current family members and royals before her, Her Majesty will not be using black-edged stationery during her official mourning period.
It has been confirmed instead that the 94-year-old monarch will use personalised stationery featuring her crest in black instead of the usual red, People reports.
This modern nod may be in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh's famously "no-fuss" attitude to his death.
His funeral on Saturday, April 17 was decidedly low-key by royal standards, with his coffin placed on the back of a Land Rover and the ceremony at Windsor Castle featuring no eulogy.
The Times reports that Prince Charles and Camilla's Clarence House office, as well as Prince William and Kate Middleton's Kensington Palace, will continue the centuries-old tradition of black stationery to mourn Philip's passing.
Using black-edged stationery after a death was popular in the 19th century when Queen Victoria took up the practice following the death of her beloved husband Prince Albert in 1861.
Get latest news headlines delivered free
Want all the latest shocking news and views from all over the world straight into your inbox?
We've got the best royal scoops, crime dramas and breaking stories – all delivered in that Daily Star style you love.
Our great newsletters will give you all you need to know, from hard news to that bit of glamour you need every day. They'll drop straight into your inbox and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.
You can sign up here – you won't regret it…
However, the Queen did send her final handwritten note to her husband in the traditional way.
On top of Philip's coffin was spotted a bouquet of white flowers with a white card edged in black, believed to have been signed off with Her Majesty's nickname 'Lilibet'.
The Queen signed off a note left on her mother's coffin in the same way at her funeral in 2002, and her husband of 73 years is thought to be the last person who called her by her childhood name.
As a child, the Queen struggled to say her name Elizabeth and instead would pronounce it as Lilibet.
This led to her family affectionately referring to her by the name, including her father, King George VI.
Other nicknames for the Queen from her family include 'Gan-Gan' and the more normal 'Granny'.
Prince Charles has also used the traditional mourning form of correspondence in the past, including in letters to former staff members following the Queen Mother's death.
The Queen's new crest design is expected to be used to respond to the many bereavement cards and letters of condolences Her Majesty has received since her husband died peacefully at home on April 9 aged 99.
She is still in her two-week period of mourning following the death, which will end on Thursday, April 22.
During this fortnight, the Queen and other royals will carry out no official duties which aren't related to Prince Philip's funeral, meaning no new laws can be given Royal Assent.
All members of the Royal Family are expected to wear black or dark clothes, or a black armband if wearing a military uniform.
- Queen
- Prince Philip
- Royal Family
Source: Read Full Article