Prince Philip
How is the funeral planned?
Prince Philip died at the age of 99.
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Preparations for Prince Philips funeral are underway. According to media reports, the private ceremony will take place next Saturday.
Prince Philip (1921-2021), the husband of Queen Elizabeth II (94), died last Friday at the age of 99. Before his death, he is said to have expressed a desire for a funeral with minimal effort, similar to that of Queen Mum (1900-2002), and refused a state funeral. According to the British newspaper “Daily Mail” the funeral service will take place next Saturday. The corona pandemic is said to have a significant impact on the plans for the funeral, which have been regulated under the name “Operation Forth Bridge”.
According to the corona measures in force in Great Britain, apparently no more than 30 mourners will be able to attend the ceremony. In addition, Prince Philips’ coffin is to remain at Windsor Castle and the service will be held in the local St George’s Chapel. Normally the coffin would have been brought to St James’s Palace in London. On the day of the funeral, Prince Philip’s coffin is to be carried into the chapel by an honor guard of the Royal Marines in the presence of the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The coffin is to be placed in the royal vault on a black marble slab and will remain there until the Queen dies and they are buried together in the memorial chapel – where, among other things, Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George (1865-1936) his last Found resting place.
The palace has taken further measures with regard to the corona pandemic. Royal fans were asked to refrain from laying flowers in order to avoid crowds. Instead, it is said that people should donate to charity in a tweet. In addition, one will not lay out a book of condolence, tweeted the palace continues. An online condolence book has been set up on the Royal Family website.
State mourning in Great Britain
The Queen is in an eight-day period of mourning in which she does not fulfill any royal duties – not even in private. This is followed by an official 30-day mourning period for the entire Royal Family, during which no public appointments are expected. The whole of Great Britain is also in state mourning, which should apply until the funeral of Prince Philip.