Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband of 73 years, will be buried next to the monarch’s grave once she is interred at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin has been temporarily resting in the Royal Vault within St. George’s Chapel since almost 18 months.
Prince Philip’s funeral took place on April 17, 2021, amid a virulent wave of the pandemic. The service was attended by a limited number of people due to Covid restrictions. A poignant picture of the Queen sitting alone in the church went viral after the service, showcasing how the monarch followed the rules set by the government.
Prince Philip was privately interred in the Royal Vault of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The internment, however, was temporary, as following royal tradition, he was to be interred with his wife. His remains are still at the Royal Vault.
The Queen will be buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel within St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and her husband Philip will be transferred to be by her side. The memorial chapel was built by Queen Elizabeth in 1969 as an addition to St. George’s Chapel especially to house the grave of her late father, King George VI, whose body was also placed in the Royal Vault for 17 years. Fifty years after his death, his wife’s coffin and his younger daughter, Princess Margaret, ashes were also interred with him.
In the past few centuries, St. George’s Chapel, has become the preferred burial ground for the Royal family. Before St. George’s, most royals were buried at Westminster Abbey. Among other members of the royals, the chapel houses the graves of Henry VIII, his wife Jane Seymour, King George VI, Princess Margaret, Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary of Teck.
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, breathed her last on Thursday in Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom (UK) at the age of 96.
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, breathed her last on Thursday in Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom (UK) at the age of 96. “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” a display message on the official website of the Royal family reads.
“The official website of the Royal Family is temporarily unavailable while appropriate changes are made.”
Who is the new King?
Charles, as the queen’s eldest son, inherited the sovereign title and job as head of the Commonwealth, along with other assets such as land and property.
Charles, 73, is the longest-serving heir in British history after waiting decades to get to the throne. The queen and her late husband, Prince Philip, had four children together, with him being the oldest. He became Britain’s heir apparent at age 3 when his mother succeeded to the throne at the age of 25. Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, and Earl of Carrick are some of Charles’ titles.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were born after Charles wed Diana Spencer in 1981. William and Harry, two princes, were born to them. Charles and Diana separated in 1992. Charles wed Camilla Parker Bowles, who is now known as the Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005 after Diana passed away in 1997.
Will Camilla become the new Queen?
The title of queen is typically bestowed upon the king’s wife, but in Camilla’s case, this hasn’t always been the case. At the time of Charles and Camilla’s wedding in 2005, it was agreed that she would be referred to as princess consort rather than queen. However, now that he is king, Charles has the option of changing this designation.
What is expected to happen in the next ten days?
Day 1:
Charles will be officially proclaimed King. This happens at St James’s Palace in London, in front of a ceremonial body known as the Accession Council. The same day, in the afternoon, the new king will have audiences with the prime minister and cabinet, the leader of the opposition, the archbishop of Canterbury and the dean of Westminster.
Day 2: The Queen’s coffin will return to Buckingham Palace. Proclamations will be read in the devolved administrations. Tributes are likely to continue in parliament.
Day 3: In the morning, King Charles will receive the motion of condolence at Westminster Hall. In the afternoon, he will embark on a tour of the United Kingdom, starting with a visit to the Scottish parliament and a service at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Day 4: King Charles will land in Northern Ireland, where he will attend a ceremony at St. Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast and receive a further motion of sympathy at Hillsborough Castle. Rehearsals for the funeral will be taking place.
Day 5: On the fifth day, a procession will begin, starting at Buckingham Palace and ending at the Houses of Parliament, then a service will be held at Westminster Hall. The Queen will then be placed on display for three days so that the public can view her coffin.
Day 6: On the fifth day, a procession will begin, starting at Buckingham Palace and ending at the Houses of Parliament, then a service will be held at Westminster Hall.
Day 7: King Charles will travel to Wales to receive another motion of condolence at the Welsh parliament and attend a service at Liandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.
Day 08: Prime ministers and governors general from the countries are anticipated to attend King Charles’ coronation.
Day 09: Charles will extend an invitation to visiting royal families from other countries the night before the funeral. VIP foreign visitors are anticipated at the lying in state.
Day 10: The state funeral itself will be held at Westminster Abbey. There will be a two-minutes’ silence across the nation at midday. Processions will take place in London and Windsor. There will be a committal service in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, and the queen will be buried in the castle’s King George VI Memorial Chapel.
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, breathed her last on Thursday in Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom (UK) at the age of 96.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
The royal family’s official website carried the message: “Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022” along with an official statement issued by Buckingham Palace.
Flags on landmark buildings in Britain were being lowered to half mast as a period of official mourning was announced. Royal residences that are open to the public will be closed.
Shortly after the official announcement, world leaders took to Twitter to extend their condolences.
President Arif Alvi expressed his sincere condolences.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif extends his heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, people and government of the UK.
Deeply grieved at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Pakistan joins the UK & other Commonwealth nations in mourning her death. My heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, people & government of the UK. @10DowningStreet@RoyalFamily
UK’s newly elected PM Liz Truss mourned the death of her country’s monarch. She released a statement that reads: “With the King’s family, we mourn the loss of his mother. As we mourn, we must come together as a people to support him. To help him bear the awesome responsibility that he now carries for us all.”
United States (US) President Joe Biden shared a statement on the demise of the Queen. “Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity constancy who deepened the bedrock of the Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. She helped make our relationship special,” Biden said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping offered “sincere sympathies to the British government and people” following the Queen’s death, adding: “Her passing is a great loss to the British people.”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his “deep sorrow”. “The loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a great loss not only to the British people but also to the international community. Japan’s thoughts are with the United Kingdom as the British people overcome this deepest sadness”, he said.
The loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a great loss not only to the British people but also to the international community. Japan’s thoughts are with the United Kingdom as the British people overcome this deepest sadness.
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau said, “It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.”
It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.
French President Emmanuel Macron said, “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years. I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.”
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years. I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.
Indian PM Narendra Modi, in a tweet, said he had memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“I had memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during my UK visits in 2015 and 2018. I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings, she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her at her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture.”
I had memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during my UK visits in 2015 and 2018. I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture. pic.twitter.com/3aACbxhLgC
Finish PM Sanna Marin said, “My deepest condolences to the Royal Family, people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
My deepest condolences to the Royal Family, people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto said, “Queen’s sense of duty and devotion to service are an example to us all. Deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the UK.”
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In her 70-year reign she witnessed and shaped history like few others. Her sense of duty and devotion to service are an example to us all. Deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the UK.
The British Royal Family never fails to astonish or amuse the world by being the talk of the town – whether it is the latest Martin Bashir BBC scandal or Prince Harry’s shocking confessions on The Me You Can’t See. Interestingly, these are not the only scandals that have rocked the royal family.
Here’s an exclusive list of a few more Royal scandals, which you may or may not have seen in The Crown:
1. In 1981, Queen Elizabeth survived an assassination attemptby a ‘mentally disturbed youth’ while touring New Zealand according to Royal historian Ted Powell. The 17-year-old tried to aim a bullet at the Queen while she was exiting the car.
2. Prince Charles and Diana’s 1988 Canada tour produced quite an international buzz as the couple’s pictures resurfacing on media clearly showed signs of marital tensions. Especially, the picture of Diana alone in Taj Mahal didn’t sit well with Royal fans.
3. Princess Kate’s light fabric dress got her into trouble during a 2016 Indian tour when the Duchess was photographed with her dress exposing too much of her lower body due to strong winds. Historian Powell believes that Queen Elizabeth got weights sewed in her dress to present “such embarrassments”.
4. Prince Charles had been physically intimate with a model during his Australian tour of 1979. The bachelor indulged in the intimacy while taking a morning jog near the beach.
5. Prince Philip told a British student that he might go home ‘slitty eyed’ if he prolonged his Chinese tour in 1986 any longer. The remark was internationally criticised on the grounds of communal insensitivity.
6. Prince Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth, tipped and fell on her official tour to Channel Island in 2007. As reported by Express UK, to an officer’s gesture of help, the Princess replied: “Don’t do that, grabbing me around my .. won’t help.”
7. The ex-member of the Royal family was photographed playing ‘strip pool’ in Las Vegas while he was on military leave. The Me You Can’t See producer had his hands laden with crown jewels signifying extravagance.
If you’re a fan of the royal family, then you now have a chance to own a car once owned by the head monarch Queen Elizabeth.
According to a report in NY Post, a rare, deep green Bentley Mulsanne once owned by Queen Elizabeth is about to be put up for auction for $250,000. The car was in the Queen and Buckingham Palace’s possession from 2013 to 2015. It was then decommissioned from royal use.
Interestingly the car has an “impeccable service history” with only 2,000 miles on its odometer.
The car’s listing from Piston Heads reads: “It is with great pleasure that we are able to present to market a very special example of Bentley’s Mulsanne derivative. This Bernato Green motorcar was formerly owned by HM Queen Elizabeth II and was in service with the Royal Household from 2013 – 2015 with its exclusive use being to transport Her Majesty.
“Its Banarto Green exterior paintwork is paired with a Twine Main Hide and complemented further by Burr Walnut Veneers to its trim and also the door panels. This vehicle would make for an exceptional addition to any collection and it is extremely rare to find a car with such provenance and history, especially when related to our longest-reigning monarch,” reads the listing further.
The Mulsanne was looked after exclusively by Jack Barclay Bentley while in the Queen’s service — and was returned to Bentley Motor Cars in 2015.
After going through a depressive period following Prince Philip’s death and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton headed out to the countryside, driving to a lush green farm in County Durham, where they took a sustainable farming tour. The visit took place two days before the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also met the farmers’ nine and seven-year-old daughters who described the encounter as “nerve-wracking” as they didn’t expect the royal couple to be this kind.
According to the couple’s official Instagram account, Kensington Royal, Kate and William took turns riding a GPS-controlled tractor, discussed mental health issues arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and talked about future targets for sustainable farming to address climate change issues.
They were also shown some of the tools used at the farm including grass monitoring, land rotation and feed sampling to improve productivity and ensure that they are able to give back to the environment and increase their sustainability.
Their second visit of the day was to a local youth project Cheesy Waffles Project which benefitted from donations from the couple’s Royal Wedding Charitable Gift Fund in 2011. The project supports children, young people and adults with additional needs aged 7 to 35 from across County Durham.
During their trip there, Kate and William, tried their hand at golf and took part in an art project.
Meanwhile, the Queen also undertook her first public engagement since Prince Philip’s funeral holding two virtual meetings from Windsor Castle with the Ambassador from Latvia and the Ambassador from Côte d’Ivoire.
PICTURES: The Ambassadors who had an audience of the Queen were at Buckingham Palace. The Queen remains at Windsor Castle, where she has been for most of the last year. The audiences were virtual. pic.twitter.com/VCPRoKZqBh
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, the world’s oldest monarch, turns 95 on Wednesday, but there will be no public celebrations just days after she bade farewell to her husband of seven decades at his funeral.
Prince Philip, whom Elizabeth married in 1947, died on April 9 at the age of 99. The royals paid their final respects to the family’s patriarch at his funeral on Saturday at Windsor Castle.
Today is The Queen’s 95th birthday.
HM was born on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in London, the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York.
This year The Queen remains at Windsor Castle during a period of Royal Mourning following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/kOeH399Ndp
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the queen sat alone during the sombre service for Philip, who she had described as her “strength and stay”.
Elizabeth, who is also the world’s longest-reigning monarch, will be at the castle for her birthday, which traditionally passes off with little or no ceremony.
However, this year, with the royals marking two weeks of mourning, there will be no gun salutes at the Tower of London or the capital’s Hyde park which usually occur on the queen’s birthday.
“I was at the funeral on Saturday, her Majesty was, as always, more concerned with other people than herself, and she will be on her birthday,” Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, told Reuters.
“She doesn’t do ‘I’m the most important person in the room’. She does ‘I mind about the other people more than about myself’. She is an extraordinary person.”
The queen also has an official birthday, which is usually celebrated with greater pomp on the second Saturday in June.
Queen’s Birthday in 2019
Philip’s death has robbed Elizabeth of her closest and most trusted confidant, who had been beside her throughout her 69-year reign.
Newspapers have suggested that family members would be visiting the queen over the coming days to ensure she would not be left alone while mourning her late husband.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman declined to comment, saying all family matters after the funeral would be private.
The Queen’s message to people across the world who have sent tributes and messages of condolence following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/1apW7s1zXS
Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926, in Bruton Street, central London. She ascended to the throne in 1952 at the age of 25, and surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch in September, 2015.
Elizabeth is also queen of 15 former British colonies including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
“I would like to send my warm wishes to Her Majesty The Queen on her 95th birthday,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter. “I am proud to serve as her prime minister.”
Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday bid farewell to her late husband, Prince Philip, at a royal funeral like no other, restricted by coronavirus rules but reflecting his long life of military and public service. The Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away on April 9 at age 99, was interred in the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle after a 50-minute service attended by just 30 guests.
The Queen, 94, seen for the first time since his death, was dressed in mourning black, with a white-trimmed, black face mask. Close family, also masked, sat socially distanced in the historic 15th-century Gothic chapel.
Philip — described by royals as “the grandfather of the nation” — was Britain’s longest-serving royal consort and was married to the Queen for 73 years. He was an almost constant presence at her side during her record-breaking reign that began in 1952 as Britain rebuilt from World War II, and as its global empire began to unravel.
Unseen photo of Queen and Philip in 2003 on the Balmoral estate
His death, which the family said had left a “huge void” in the Queen’s life, has robbed her of the man she called her “strength and stay” and closes a remarkable chapter for Britain’s most famous family, and in the country’s history.
https://youtu.be/OdYWnSZ2rWc
The last high-profile funeral of a senior royal was for the Queen’s mother, who died in 2002, aged 101. But unlike then, when more than one million people thronged outside Westminster Abbey in central London to watch the sombre pageant, the public was noticeably absent from Saturday’s ceremony.
Government guidelines limited the number of mourners and a quartet performed hymns the duke chose himself in a barren nave stripped of seating.
The ceremonial funeral from behind the stately castle walls was broadcast live on television to millions across Britain and the world.
Beforehand, a military gun fired to signal a minute’s silence, when his coffin, draped in his standard and topped by a wreath of white roses and lilies from the Queen, his naval cap and ceremonial sword was borne by a bespoke Land Rover hearse he designed himself, arrived at the chapel.
Across Britain — on the streets, in shops, railway stations and at sporting events — people bowed their heads with respect.
Flights in an out of nearby Heathrow Airport were stopped for the duration of the ceremony.
Despite the restrictions, the stripped-down sendoff for the former Royal Navy commander still combined centuries of royal protocol with pomp, pageantry — and military precision.
Members of the British armed forces, in formal dress, lined the procession route, heads bowed, as the cortege passed, as a minute gun rang out across the grounds and a bell tolled.
Philip’s grandsons William, 38, and Harry, 36, joined the procession, in their first public meeting since a reported falling out about Harry’s shock move to California, and his stinging criticism of royal life, including racism in the family.
Harry had to quarantine when he arrived back in Britain for the first time since his move to the United States with his wife, Meghan, last year. Meghan reportedly watched the funeral at her home in California after she was advised by her doctor not to travel while pregnant. US networks showed the funeral live as did British TV stations.
The religious service was a simple affair, reflecting the wishes of the straight-talking duke, who was known for his aversion to “fuss”.
In keeping with his wishes, there was no sermon, but the service reflected his love of the sea, and long association with the Royal Navy, including hymns and Bible readings.
The Queen, who had been escorted to the chapel by a lady-in-waiting in the royal Bentley, watched from the chapel choir as her husband’s was lowered steadily into the Royal Vault by electric motor.
The Pipe Major of the Royal Regiment of Scotland played a lament, and buglers of the Royal Marines sounded The Last Post.
When the Queen dies, he will be transferred to lie alongside her in the King George VI memorial chapel, which houses the remains of her father, George VI, her mother, also called Elizabeth, and the ashes of her younger sister, Margaret.
Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Philip will be laid to rest today (April 17) at Saint George’s Chapel in Windsor. The 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh passed away on April 9, 2020.
The funeral ceremony will just have 30 guests in attendance, in line with government COVID-19 regulations. Heir to the throne Charles, his wife Camilla, and the monarch’s three other children and eight grandchildren, as well as all their spouses, will be among those present.
Attendees including the Queen will be required to wear face masks, sit apart and observe COVID-19 social distancing rules.
Queen Elizabeth will be accompanied to the venue in the state Bentley by a lady-in-waiting, before sitting alone in the chapel.
Furthermore, William and Harry will not walk side by side in the procession, Buckingham Palace has revealed, giving traction to reports of rifts between the two. According to details, Princess Anne’s son, Peter Philips, is positioned between them and William will move ahead of his younger brother as the royal mourners enter in pairs.
Meanwhile, here is the full list of mourners who will attend the funeral of Prince Philip at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle:
Queen Elizabeth II
Prince Charles, eldest child of the queen and Prince Philip
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Charles’ wife
Princess Anne, second child of the queen and Prince Philip
Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Anne’s husband
Prince Andrew, third child of the queen and Prince Philip
Prince Edward, youngest child of the queen and Prince Philip
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Edward’s wife
Lady Louise Windsor, Edward and Sophie’s daughter
James, Viscount Severn, Edward and Sophie’s son
Prince William, eldest son of Charles and the late Princess Diana
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, William’s wife
Prince Harry, younger son of Charles and Diana
Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne and her first husband Mark Phillips
Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips
Mike Tindall, Zara’s husband
Princess Beatrice, elder daughter of Prince Andrew and ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Beatrice’s husband
Princess Eugenie, younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah
Jack Brooksbank, Eugenie’s husband
Lady Sarah Chatto, daughter of the queen’s late sister Princess Margaret
Daniel Chatto, husband of Lady Sarah Chatto
David Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon, son of Princess Margaret
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, a cousin of the queen
Edward, Duke of Kent, a cousin of the queen
Princess Alexandra, a cousin of the queen
Bernhard, Hereditary Prince of Baden, a German great-nephew of Prince Philip
Prince Donatus, Landgrave of Hesse, a German cousin of Prince Philip
Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, a German great-nephew of Prince Philip
Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, a friend of Prince Philip, married to the grandson of Philip’s uncle Lord Mountbatten
Senior members of the royal family will not wear military uniform at Prince Philip’s funeral, in a break with tradition designed to avoid embarrassing Prince Harry, British media has reported.
The Duke of Sussex, who lost his military titles after stepping down as a senior working royal, faced being the only senior male royal not in uniform, despite having served two tours in Afghanistan. According to protocol, he is required to wear civilian dress, although he would be allowed to wear his medals.
On the other hand, the Duke of York Prince Andrew, who stepped back from public duties following the controversy over his friendship with the disgraced financial and sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein, was due to be promoted to the rank of admiral in 2020 to mark his 60th birthday, but this did not go ahead following the fallout from his disastrous Newsnight appearance.
The dilemma that exists is the fact that both the royals are the only ones to have seen active service – Harry in Afghanistan and Andrew in the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict.
As a result, the 94-year-old queen decided all royals should wear mourning suits to avoid any embarrassment. It was “the most eloquent solution to the problem”, said a source while talking on the matter.
At a ceremonial royal funeral like Prince Philip’s, it has been traditional for uniforms to be worn. They were worn at the last ceremonial royal funeral, that of the Queen Mother. However, a no-uniform rule was adopted for the private family funeral of Princess Margaret, when mourning dress was worn, and for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, who was by then no longer an official member of the royal family.
The decision is a break with tradition for ceremonial royal funerals and will contrast with the strong military presence that will be on show to honour the duke, who served with distinction in the second world war.
Meanwhile, Prince Philip’s funeral is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 17. Preparations for the funeral are underway and a specially built Land Rover will carry his coffin from Windsor to St George’s Chapel. The car had been designed by the Duke himself, reportedly 18 years ago.
Prince Philip “had a hand” in the design of this Land Rover Defender. At 2:41pm on Saturday, the Bearer Party will carry the coffin and place it on the back of vehicle. pic.twitter.com/2N98dcUN3X
The funeral ceremony will just have 30 guests in attendance, in line with government regulations. Heir to the throne Charles, his wife Camilla, and the monarch’s three other children and eight grandchildren, as well as all their spouses, will be among those present.
Other guests include the children of the queen’s late sister Princess Margaret, and three of Philip’s German relatives — Bernhard, the hereditary prince of Baden; Donatus, prince and landgrave of Hesse; and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. Countess Mountbatten, Penelope “Penny” Knatchbull, who was Philip’s carriage driving partner and one of his closest friends, is also invited.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson opted against attending to free up a space.
Attendees including the Queen will be required to wear face masks, sit apart and observe COVID-19 social distancing rules.
Queen Elizabeth will be accompanied to the venue in the state Bentley by a lady-in-waiting, before sitting alone in the chapel.
Furthermore, William and Harry will not walk side by side in the procession, Buckingham Palace has revealed, giving traction to reports of rifts between the two. According to details, Princess Anne’s son, Peter Philips, is positioned between them and William will move ahead of his younger brother as the royal mourners enter in pairs.
As young boys in 1997, the pair provided the most poignant image of their mother Princess Diana’s funeral as they walked, heads bowed, behind her coffin. Prince Philip had accompanied them, alongside their father Prince Charles and uncle Charles Spencer.
The funeral will be Harry and William’s first public meeting since Harry’s shock move to the United States last year and Oprah’s bombshell interview. The brothers have reportedly fallen out over Harry’s departure.
