Politics
Who are the pallbearers at Prince Philip’s funeral?
PRINCE Philip’s funeral is taking place today, Saturday, April 17, at an intimate ceremony at Windsor Castle.
But who will be the pallbearers at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral?
Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates
Prince Philip served as the Captain-General of the Royal Marines for over 64 years[/caption]
Who are the pallbearers at Prince Philip’s funeral?
The pallbearers at Prince Philip’s funeral will be members of the military, specially selected from the Duke’s long career with armed services.
They will make up the bearer party – and will lift His Royal Highness’ coffin from the Land Rover.
And they will then carry the coffin up to the West Steps ahead of the service.
It is very fitting that members of the Marines will be the pallbearers – as Prince Philip had such a close connection to them during his dazzling career.
Leaving school at 17, the Duke joined the Royal Navy as a cadet, arriving at the Britannia Royal Naval College and graduating as a top cadet.
And Prince Philip served as the Captain-General of the Royal Marines for over 64 years.
He took up his position, granted by Queen Elizabeth, in June 1953.
And the title was then handed to Prince Harry in December 2017.
What is a pallbearer?
A pallbearer is someone who is selected by a close family member of the deceased to help carry the casket to the burial site at a funeral.
Before the funeral service or mass, pallbearers gather around the casket and slowly carry it down the aisle to the front of the church or place of worship.
After the service or mass, pallbearers carry the casket out of the church or place of worship and to the hearse.
Pallbearers place the casket on a special piece of equipment that lifts it to the back of the hearse.
Why do pallbearers wear white gloves?
Pallbearers may wear white gloves in order to prevent damaging the casket and to show respect to the deceased person.
Most read in News
Guests at Prince Philip’s funeral WON’T be allowed to sing at the service because of coronavirus rules.
Only a small choir will be able to perform pieces of music chosen by the Duke of Edinburgh himself, Buckingham Palace said today.
The choir of singers will be made up of three lay clerks in St George’s Chapel choir and one soprano.
And the singers will be seated away from the congregation-of-30, in line with Covid rules.
