Prince William and Prince Harry will not walk side by side at their grandfather Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday, the royal family has confirmed.
The siblings’ cousin Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne, will walk between them during the funeral’s entrance procession to St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace said.
In a second procession, William, 38, and Peter, 43, will walk shoulder to shoulder, followed by Harry, 36, and David Armstrong-Jones, 59, the son of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Once inside the chapel, they won’t get much closer, as those in attendance will be six feet apart, according to COVID-19 guidelines.
The procession order was “a practical change rather than a signal,” said a Buckingham Palace spokesman.
“This is a funeral and we will not be swept up in perceptions of drama. The arrangements have been agreed and represent Her Majesty’s wishes, ”said the spokesman.
Only 30 close friends and family members are allowed to enter the chapel for the royal ceremonial funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh. The public has also been advised to “stay away” from the grounds and instead offer condolences online, The Independent reports.
Insiders say there is hope that the brothers’ shared grief will help them mend their once-close bond and finally discuss their feud.
“Both are fully aware of their shared histories and will no doubt remember the impact their grandfather had on their lives during their childhood,” a royal source told The Mirror last week.
“There’s hope under a place like this, where the brethren are united in grief, that the corner can be turned.”
It would be fitting because Philip was “baffled” at his grandsons’ quarrel and tried to reunite them, the paper’s source claimed.
Philip “urged both of them to put their differences to rest, not only to remember their bond, but also to keep in mind their duty to the Queen and the country,” added the Mirror’s source.