Why Queen Elizabeth's Ex-Staffer Thinks She'll Be 'Calm' After Prince Philip's Death

Queen Elizabeth II is expected to remain "calm" and "steady" following the death of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, a former royal staffer says.

Charles Anson, former press secretary to the Queen, said the monarch was prepared for Prince Philip's passing because of his health issues over the years.

"She would have thought about this moment several times, and her way would be to remain as steady and as calm as possible," Anson told People. "That comes naturally to her through her temperament and her experience. In my years of working for her she was always calm, no matter what was going on. But for any human being, this is a very cathartic moment."

Prior to the announcement of his death Friday, the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, stayed in a London hospital for a full month in February after undergoing a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition, BBC News reported. He was discharged to Windsor Castle in March, just 23 days before he died.

According to Anson, Prince Philip quickly adapted to his role as support for the Queen by giving up his own career after they tied the knot in 1947. Despite what he had to sacrifice, the Queen's former press secretary said the royal couple had a happy marriage. He also complimented the late royal for being a great support for Her Majesty.

"There were some things they had to deal with together that were difficult, but it was a long marriage with a great deal of happiness. He took very seriously his role as a support for the Queen as monarch," Anson added. "A great level support from a strong outward-looking man of action that he was. He was a natural of his generation to be at his wife's side. He very quickly came to terms to watching to be in that role of support as well as running his own life."

As for the Queen's emotional state, Anson believes she will be surrounded by the close members of her private household as she mourns the loss of her husband.

"She has an enormous amount of family support for her and will also take comfort from the enormity of the support from all over the world," he added.

Buckingham Palace broke the news Friday that Prince Philip passed away at age 99.

"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," the palace said in a statement. "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

Prince Charles immediately visited his mother, the Queen, at Windsor Castle Friday just hours after his father died, People reported. The Prince of Wales was the only royal to visit Prince Philip in the hospital. He traveled from his home in Gloucestershire, England, to visit the Duke of Edinburgh in his first weeks of treatment, the outlet reported.