It is a gloomy day for the British Royal Family, Britons and supporters around the world as Prince Philip will be buried in St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in just a few hours.
The Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth II’s 73-year-old husband, died on April 9. He was 99.
The ceremonial royal funeral is expected to be a low-key outing for Philip, the longest-serving royal consort in British history. The ceremony, code-named Operation Forth Bridge, was limited to 30 in attendance, but the Duke of Edinburgh had participated extensively in the planning prior to his death.
The Queen is joined by the four children she shared with Prince Philip – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – as well as Charles’ wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Anne’s husband Timothy Laurence and Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
QUEEN ELIZABETH MADE SOME ‘DIFFICULT DECISIONS’ ON PRINCE PHILIP’S FUNERAL PLANS
A tribute to Britain’s Prince Philip will be projected on a big screen at Piccadilly Circus in central London on April 9.
(AP Photo / Matt Dunham)
In addition, each of Philip’s eight grandchildren – including Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn – will also attend the funeral.
Prince William’s wife, Kate Middleton; Zara Tindall’s husband, Mike Tindall; Princess Eugenie’s husband, Jack Brooksbank, and Princess Beatrice’s husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, will also join their royal husbands at the family event.
Quick Facts
- The ceremonial royal funeral was limited to 30 guests due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
- Members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and British Army plan to participate in the funeral procession
- Philip’s crate is carried to St. George’s Chapel on a specially modified Land Rover, which he designed himself
- Prince Harry’s wife Meghan Markle, who is currently pregnant, was advised by her doctor not to attend the event
All those attending the funeral must wear face masks in St. George’s Chapel, while those taking part in the funeral procession will not wear masks until they enter the chapel.
Members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and British Army plan to participate in the funeral procession. Philip’s crate is carried to St. George’s Chapel on a specially modified Land Rover, which he designed himself.
It was previously announced that Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, 39, will not be attending. The Duchess of Sussex, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child, was advised by her doctor not to attend. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex settled in Santa Barbara, California last year, months after the couple announced their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family.
Harry will not walk next to his brother Prince William, 38, at the funeral. However, the two will walk behind their grandfather’s coffin with family members while their cousin Peter Philips walks in between the brothers.
PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND THE HUSBAND OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II, DEAD AT 99
Philip married then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947 and is the longest-serving royal consort in British history. (Associated Press)
Follow our live coverage below. Mobile users click here.