Grace and sorrow when Prince Philip is buried

Queen Elizabeth II said goodbye to her Prince Philip at his funeral at Windsor Castle on Saturday, alone in her bank, but joined in grief by the royal family and millions who watch around the world.

For seven decades she has been sovereign of her realms, but Elizabeth – who seemed to be wiping a tear before the service – seemed poignantly small beneath the reflecting stones of St., as widows of every rank and fortune might.

Only 30 black-clad mourners were allowed to enter the medieval chapel in the grounds of the 950-year-old castle for the final farewell and the royal burial vault of Philip, who died on April 9 at the age of 99.

The Queen, 94, sat alone because of strict restrictions on social distance, but nearby her four children – Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward – sat in groups with their own children.

Prince Andrew, center, Prince Harry and Prince Edward, in the procession prior to the funeral of the British Prince Philip at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England on April 17, 2021.
Prince Andrew, center, Prince Harry and Prince Edward, in the procession prior to Prince Philip’s funeral at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021.
AP

Charles, 72, the future king, fought back tears as he led the pedestrian procession of his father’s coffin from castle to church.

He and his wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles, shed more tears during the low-key service, which began at 3 p.m. after a minute of silence across the UK.

Prince Charles follows the coffin of his father, the British Prince Philip, during the funeral at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England on April 17, 2021.
Prince Charles follows the coffin of his father Prince Philip during the funeral at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, on April 17, 2021.
Hannah McKay / Pool via AP

“We are inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, constancy and faith,” said Windsor Dean David Conner in his call to prayer.

Perhaps the greatest mystery of the intimate ceremony – would there be prince or tenderness between Charles’ two feuding sons, Prince William, a possible king, and his royalty-renouncing brother, Prince Harry – unfolded with quiet dignity.

Prince William and Prince Harry at the funeral of their grandfather Prince Philip on April 17, 2021.
Prince William and Prince Harry at the funeral of their grandfather Prince Philip on April 17, 2021.
BACKGRID

William, 38, and Harry, 36, had marched to church, separated by their cousin, Peter Phillips, and sat apart for the entire 50-minute service.

But the brothers – not seen together in public since last year’s Megxit rift – chatted amiably afterwards as they walked out of the chapel with William’s wife, Kate Middleton.

The future Queen Consort, 39, paid tribute silently with her jewelry, featuring diamond earrings borrowed from the Queen who had been given to Elizabeth by Philip for their wedding in 1947.

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, center, arrives to attend the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday 17 April 2021.
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, center, arrives to attend Prince Philip’s funeral at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021.
Chris Jackson / Pool via AP

Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, who is seven months pregnant with their second child, a girl, stayed at home in Los Angeles.

Markle watched the funeral like everyone else – on TV – even though she sent a wreath and handwritten card to the chapel.

“They know Saturday isn’t about them – it’s about honoring their grandfather’s memory and supporting their grandmother,” a royal source previously told The Daily Telegraph.

Philip – the longest-serving consort in British history – was a tireless supporter of the monarchy, a popular visitor to tens of thousands of public gatherings.

On another day the church would be filled and the procession crowded from its coffin by onlookers.

On Saturday, a modest group of hundreds of people lined the streets near the castle, some wearing face masks bearing his likeness.

Despite the limited list of attendees, royal guards dissected every step, gaze, and glitter of jewelry from their TVs, from the moment Philip’s chest was carried out of the palace by eight lackeys.

Members of the royal family, led by Prince Charles and Princess Anne, lined up behind the vehicle to walk in procession.
Members of the royal family, led by Prince Charles and Princess Anne, lined up behind the hearse with Prince Philip’s coffin.
WPA Pool / Getty Images

Throughout their marriage, Philip had followed the Queen in accordance with royal protocol. But the Queen attended the funeral procession on Saturday in her Bentley – and it was in the car that she seemed to be dabbing her eyes with her black-gloved hand.

She stayed behind her husband’s hearse and marchers, instead of in front of them where a monarch would normally be, as if he would lead her together for a change and for their final procession.

Recognized for his bravery in World War II, Philip was a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy, and his chest was decorated with his hat and sword.

The hearse had been personally chosen by Philip, an army-green, electric-powered Land Rover of his own design.

“Just put me in the back of a Land Rover,” he reportedly joked to Elizabeth, who granted his wish.

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