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'They do more than most pensioners': Peter Phillips on why the Queen and Prince Philip will sometimes cancel engagements

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It was a wonderful moment not just for the nation, but also for the British royal family as the Queen arrived at Westminster Abbey for the 60th anniversary of her Coronation with her beloved husband Prince Philip by her side.After 65 years of marriage, the royal couple appeared together to mark the historic event, after much speculation that the Duke of Edinburgh would be unable to attend. Having excused himself from celebrations the previous evening, there was concern that ill health would prevent the royal from attending.

Peter Phillips© Photo: Rex

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But his eldest grandchild, Peter Phillips, has told the public not to be surprised if the Queen, 87, and her husband, who will celebrate his 92nd birthday on Monday, miss the "odd engagement".Appearing on ITV's Daybreak, Peter — the son of Princess Anne — was asked if the Prince was well after feeling 'under the weather' on Monday. "Yes, but you also have got to remember his age, both of their ages, you know… what they do at their age — they do a lot more than most other pensioners of their equivalent age!" he replied. "So, if occasionally there is the odd engagement cancelled, it shouldn't come as a surprise, given the workload that they do have. "Zara's older brother went on to say he was "hugely proud" of his grandmother, describing her as a "great inspiration to the country." He said that he thought the Abbey service had been "fantastic" and imbued with "a real sense of history".

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip© Photo: Getty Images

"She is a great role model, she always has been," he said. "She has been an inspiration to all of us, and it is by all of us being able to attend these events that we show our love and support and continuing support for her, and also the Duke of Edinburgh, for everything that they have done, and everything they continue to do. Not only for this country, but also us as a family. "Peter, 35, attended Tuesday's ceremony with his Canadian wife Autumn Kelly, with who he has two little girls, Savannah, two, and one-year-old Isla.The couple met at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal in 2003, and were married on 17 May 2008 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, as featured exclusively in HELLO!.

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