Prince Philip is laid to rest as somber queen sits alone

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While military bands played and a procession of royals escorted his coffin to church, Prince Philip was laid to rest on Saturday in a memorial service honoring his lifelong service to Britain, the Crown and his 73-year-old wife, Queen Elizabeth II.

The widowed British monarch, who set an example amid the coronavirus pandemic, sat alone at the ceremony, dressed in black and bowed in prayer.

Philip, who died on April 9, two months before his 100th birthday, was honored at Windsor Castle in a service marked by military and royal tradition, but also pared down and imbued with his own personality. The entire royal procession and funeral took place outside the public domain in the grounds of the castle, a 950-year-old royal residence 30 kilometers west of London. However, it was televised live.

Due to the restrictions of the coronavirus, instead of the 800 mourners expected in the long-standing plans for Philip’s funeral, only 30 people were allowed to enter the castle’s St. George’s Chapel, including the Queen, her four children and her eight grandchildren.

Prince William and Prince Harry follow behind the coffin. (Photo: PTI / AP file)

Following strict rules of social distancing during the pandemic, the Queen also set an example in mourning, sitting apart from family members who had gathered around the church.

Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, sat opposite the monarch next to his wife Camilla. Prince Andrew was two seats to the left of the queen. Prince William and his wife Kate sat directly across from his brother, Prince Harry, who had returned from California without his pregnant wife Meghan.

Mourners during Prince Philip’s funeral. (Photo: PTI / AP file)

People across the UK observed a minute’s silence in Philip’s honor just before the funeral began. In the soft spring sunshine, some locals stopped earlier in front of the castle to leave flowers, but people largely followed orders from the police and the palace not to gather because of the pandemic.

Philip’s coffin traveled to the chapel in a custom-built Land Rover designed by the prince himself. The coffin was wrapped in his personal standard and topped with his Royal Navy cap, sword and wreath of flowers.

High-ranking military commanders lined up in front of the vehicle for the procession. Philip and the Queen’s children – Charles, Princess Anne, Andrew, and Prince Edward – walked behind the hearse while the 94-year-old Queen drove to the chapel in a Bentley car.

The grandchildren Prince William and Prince Harry also went behind the coffin, if not next to each other. The brothers, whose relationship was strained due to Harry’s decision to give up royal duties and move to California, flanked their cousin Peter Phillips, Anne’s son.

For many viewers, the moment brought back memories of William and Harry, aged 15 and 12, when, in the company of their grandfather Philip, they walked behind the coffin of their mother, Princess Diana, in a globally televised London ceremony in 1997.

Later on Saturday, the two brothers were seen walking and chatting together as the mourners left the chapel after the service.

The funeral reflected Philip’s military ties, both as a ceremonial commander of many units and as a war veteran. More than 700 service members attended, including army bands, Royal Marine buglers and an honor guard from all armed forces.

In the Gothic chapel, which has held royal weddings and funerals for centuries, the service was simple and somber.

The ceremony began with Canterbury Archbishop Justin Welby entering the chapel in front of the coffin, followed by Philip’s children and three of his eight grandchildren as a four-member, socially distant choir sang, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

At Philip’s request, there was no sermon, eulogy or readings in the family, as was the royal tradition. But the Dean of Windsor, David Conner, said the country had been enriched by Philip’s “unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, steadfastness and faith.”

Philip spent nearly 14 years in the Royal Navy and witnessed action in the Mediterranean, Indian, and Pacific during World War II. Some elements of his funeral had a maritime theme, including the hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”, associated with seafarers, which asks God, “O hear us when we cry to you / For those who are at sea are in danger. “

Conner led a prayer and said, “Give him the assurance of your old promise that you will ever be with those who go out to sea in ships and do their business in great waters.”

As Philip’s coffin was lowered into the royal vault, the trumpets of the Royal Marine Action Stations sounded, an alarm alerting sailors to prepare for battle. The recording after the traditional bugle call “The Last Post” was a personal request from Philip.

Philip was placed in the vault alongside the remains of 24 other kings, including three kings of England. But it probably won’t be his permanent resting place. After the Queen’s death, she and Philip are expected to be buried in the Royal Burial Ground on the Frogmore Estate near Windsor Castle.

The 30 funeral guests included Philip’s children and grandchildren as well as other high-ranking kings and some of his German relatives. Philip was born the Prince of Greece and Denmark and, like the Queen, is related to a thicket of European royal families.

Before the funeral, Buckingham Palace posted a photo of the Queen and Philip smiling and relaxing on blankets in the grass in the Scottish highlands in 2003. The palace said the casual photo was a favorite of the queen.

Philip was an integral part of British life for decades, best known for founding the Duke of Edinburgh Awards program, which encouraged youngsters to challenge themselves, and for a bluntly spoken manner that included downright insulting remarks. He lived in the shadow of his wife, but his death sparked reflection on his role and a new appreciation from many in the UK.

“He was a character, an absolute character,” said Jenny Jeeves as she looked at the floral tributes in Windsor. “It was fun, it was fun. Yes he did some gaffes but it really depends on how you took it. Just a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and a good example to all of us. “

READ | Meghan Markle wanted to attend Prince Philip’s funeral to support Harry amid a family feud

READ | Four days after the death of husband Prince Philip, the Queen returns to her royal duties




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