Mourning in the British royal family: Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth, died on April 9, 2021 at the age of 99. GALA compiles the most important information about funerals and funerals.
When a senior member of the British royal family dies, nothing is left to chance. Queen Elizabeth and her staff have been planning her funeral since the 1960s, and meetings are held several times a year to refine these plans. Prince Philips’ funeral was also meticulously organized in advance. But in 2021 everything will be different: The coronavirus means that we will have to rethink.
The palace announces: The planning is ongoing
Four hours after the news of his death, the palace sent an initial notification of Prince Philip’s funeral to media representatives. It says Queen Elizabeth is rethinking the funeral procedures, taking into account the government’s recommendations for protection against the corona virus. Details would be announced in the near future.
When does Prince Philip’s funeral take place?
No date has been set yet. British media are sure: it will Saturday April 17th, 2021 become. That’s realistic. Experience shows that members of the British royal family are bid farewell in a church service five to nine days after their death and are then buried.
Will the Queen’s husband get a state funeral?
Prince Philip will go there at his own request no state funeral received, announced the “College of Arms” involved in the organization on its website.
As a general rule, in the UK, a state funeral is reserved for the monarch. With the consent of Queen Elizabeth and Parliament, it can also be held in honor of another highly respected personality – such a personality would be Prince Philip after 69 years in the service of the monarchy. This would have given the 99-year-old a special honor: In the past 500 years, according to the newspaper “The Guardian”, there have only been nine non-monarchs who have received a state funeral. The last of its kind for a member of the royal family took place on February 15, 1952 for King George VI. instead, the last for a non-royal in 1965 for Sir Winston Churchill.
Prince Philip was known for not wanting any fanfare about himself. British media therefore assume that the prince will “only” get a ceremonial, possibly even a private, funeral.
His life in pictures
52 images
Is there a procession through London for Prince Philip?
Due to the corona situation, this is impossible. For comparison: According to estimates, over a million people lined the streets of Queen Mum in 2002, and Princess Diana in 1997 reportedly had 750,000.
Will Prince Philip’s coffin be laid out?
A distinction is made between two types of laying out: a public one as in 2002 with Queen Mum or a private one as in 1997 with Princess Diana. However: Philip did not want to be laid out, reports the “College of Arms”. His body will remain at Windsor Castle until the funeral / burial.
Where does the funeral service take place?
Prince Philip has chosen St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle as the location for the funeral service, also announced by the “College of Arms”. The chapel is known to the general public for the wedding of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan. Other members of the royal family have also been adopted here. The service for Prince Philip will not be televised, according to the British and US media.
St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle is the scene of royal weddings and funeral services.
© Getty Images
How can the public say goodbye?
Because of Corona, the government and the Royal Family have asked not to meet in front of Windsor Castle on the day of the memorial service. Mass gatherings in front of Buckingham Palace, such as when Princess Diana died, should also be avoided. Whether the British stick to it – wait and see. The palace has also published a digital book of condolences. If you too want to say a last word to Prince Philip or express your condolences to his family, click here.
Which guests come to the service?
At state and ceremonial funerals, family members, friends, high-ranking politicians from home and abroad, representatives of the Commonwealth of Nations, representatives of other European royal families, emissaries from charity organizations and members of the military are expected. However, the following also applies here: Due to the corona pandemic, a high number of guests is excluded. A funeral can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. The circle of guests will be limited to the closest circle of the deceased, Prime Minister Boris Johnson may be present.
The memorial service in honor of Princess Diana on September 6, 1997, around 2000 guests came to Westminster Abbey.
© Getty Images
Where is Prince Philip buried?
The public does not yet know where Philip will be buried. One option is St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Among other things, the last three kings George VI are located here. († 1952), George V. († 1936) and Edward VII (1910) as well as their wives Queen Elizabeth (Queen Mum, † 2002), Queen Mary († 1953) and Queen Alexandra († 1925). Following tradition, Philip and Queen Elizabeth could find their final resting place here together.
The Royale Mausoleum is located on the Frogmore Estate not far from Windsor Castle.
© Getty Images
Another option is the Royal Family Cemetery, inaugurated in 1928, just a few hundred meters from Windsor Castle on the Frogmore Estate. The most famous graves belong to the former King Edward VIII († 1972) and his wife Wallis Simpson († 1986). The heart of the cemetery is a mausoleum, which was built in 1862 as the grave for Queen Victoria († 1901) and her husband Prince Albert († 1861).
Sources used:bbc.com, theguardian.com, cnn.com, stgeorges-windsor.org, parliament.uk, trooping-the-colour.co.uk