Politics
Prince Philip funeral arrangements: When is it and will the Duke of Edinburgh have a state funeral?
THE UK and the Royal Family are in mourning over the death of Prince Philip, who has passed away at the age of 99.
And the Duke of Edinburgh will get his dying wish of a small “no-fuss” funeral, thanks to ongoing Covid restrictions.
The UK and the Royal Family are in mourning following the passing of Prince Philip[/caption]
When is Prince Philip’s funeral?
The funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh will take place at St George’s Chapel at 3pm next Saturday (April 17).
Will Prince Philip have a state funeral?
As the consort of the Queen, Prince Philip is entitled to a state funeral.
But the Duke of Edinburgh will not be given one as expressed by his own wishes.
Instead, he will be given a military funeral, with a private service held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor with 30 mourners and burial in Frogmore Gardens.
Had the Duke of Edinburgh requested a state funeral, it would have likely involved a military procession to Westminster Abbey where his body would lie in state for members of the public to pay their respects.
A service at either Westminster Abbey or St Paul’s Cathedral would have followed, before burial in St. George’s Chapel.
But even before Covid, humble Prince Philip had turned down the opportunity for a full State Funeral.
What are the funeral details?
The Duke of Edinburgh will be given a military funeral, with a private service held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle and burial in Frogmore Gardens.
Sadly there will be no public procession.
Prince Philip’s body is currently resting in the private chapel at Windsor Castle and will be moved on April 17 to St George’s Chapel ahead of the funeral.
The funeral will begin with a national minute’s silence at 3pm and will be broadcast live on TV.
The poignant ceremony will end with his body being taken to lie in the Royal Vault within St George’s chapel.
The coffin will be moved to the state entrance of Windsor Castle on April 17 by a bearer party from the Grenadier Guards – the elite Queen’s Company regiment at Windsor.
The ceremonial procession will set off from the state entrance at 14.45pm with the Prince of Wales and members of Royal Family following on foot behind the coffin.
The Queen has approved Boris Johnson’s recommendation to have a period of national mourning starting on Friday April 9 and ending on Saturday April 17.
The Royal Family will observe two weeks of mourning.
Before the funeral, Prince Philip’s body will be examined by a member of the Medical Household, where they will determine his cause of death.
Although details are few and far between, it is likely this will be in their medical wing of Windsor Castle.
Who will attend Prince Philip’s funeral?
Just 30 people will be allowed to attend the duke’s funeral on Saturday as a result of tough coronavirus restrictions.
And while it will be close family members attending the service, it is likely that Prince Philip’s great-grandchildren, all of whom are under 10, will stay at home.
It’s certain that the Queen’s four children will attend with their four spouses – Prince Charles and Camilla; Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence; Prince Andrew; and Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex.
Prince Philip’s eight grandchildren are also likely to be chosen as a guest at the funeral – Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn.
Prince William’s spouse Kate Middleton is expected to attend as she is a future queen.
Pregnant Meghan Markle remains at home in LA after medics said she shouldn’t travel – although Prince Harry will return for the service.
Other spouses of the grandchildren may also attend to support their loved ones – Mike Tindall, Jack Brooksbank and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
However, the Queen may decide to invite her cousins instead and their spouses – Princess Alexandra, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, all of whom have offered loyal support and service over the years.
The monarch is close to her late sister Princess Margarets children – the Earl of Snowdon and Lady Sarah Chatto – and so may want them to attend the funeral as a source of comfort.
PRINCE PHILIP LATEST
The last few spots on the list could be taken by First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Tony Radakin, in honour of Philip’s military service or it could be taken by a trusted member of the Queen or Prince Philip’s household.
The Prime Minister won’t be a part of the restricted group-of-30 allowed to attend the funeral, No 10 has said.
The decision has been made so that the limited spaces can be taken up by grieving members of the Royal Family.
