Queen Elizabeth II Will Sit Alone At Prince Philip's Funeral

Apr 16, 2021

In a Thursday announcement regarding Prince Philip’s upcoming funeral this weekend, Buckingham Palace revealed that Queen Elizabeth II will sit alone at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. Additionally, details emerged that Prince William and his brother Prince Harry will walk behind their grandfather’s coffin separated by cousin Peter Phillips on Saturday.

The announcement comes at a time when tensions are running high in the royal family after Harry and Meghan Markle sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a controversial interview in March. During the television special, the couple openly criticized the royal family and its culture. The interview was scheduled in light of another controversy — Harry and Markle’s decision to move to Los Angeles and step back as senior royals, officially losing their titles. Markle, who is pregnant, will not be attending the funeral, as she did not receive medical clearance to fly.

In another move that will likely see more speculation and controversy regarding the royal family’s internal affairs, the palace announced that members of the royal family will not be wearing military dress at the funeral, defying years of tradition. The decision is thought to spare Harry — who was stripped of his military titles and cannot wear official military dress — the embarrassment of being the only senior royal in civilian clothing.

According to The Guardian, Princess Anne and Prince Charles will be at the head of the funerary procession on Saturday, leading family members behind the coffin during its 8-minute long journey from the castle to St. George’s Chapel. Prince Andrew and Prince Edward will be flanked by William, Harry and cousin Phillips.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson refused to respond to the public’s “perceptions of drama” regarding Thursday’s decision, according to The Guardian. “The arrangements have been agreed, and they represent Her Majesty’s wishes,” a palace spokesperson is quoted as saying.

Buckingham Palace’s statement regarding the royal family’s decision to break from the tradition of wearing military dress at public occasions was similarly brief and to-the-point.

“Members of the royal family will be wearing morning coat with medals or day dress. That’s to say members of the royal family will not be in military uniform,” a spokesperson said, according to The Guardian.

The same spokesperson would not speak to the details or reasons behind the decision, having simply replied, “All arrangements have been signed off by Her Majesty.”

The Lord Chamberlain, Baron Parker, is in charge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral arrangements, according to Sky News. The ceremony on Saturday will take place at Windsor Castle’s St. George Chapel in the English county of Berkshire. Although around 800 people would have attended the ceremony under normal circumstances, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the royal family to plan a smaller service of only 30 people, excluding Prime Minister Boris Johnson and public processions.

While the public won’t be able to take in a procession — and while fewer guests are permitted to attend the ceremony in person — major news outlets like Sky News will televise the funeral.
According to Sky News’ preliminary information regarding funeral plans, the ceremony will start at 2:30 p.m. (BST) at Windsor Castle’s state entrance.

The Dean of Windsor, the Lord Chamberlain and the first Battalion Grenadier Guards will accompany Philip’s coffin to the entrance, where it will be put onto a specially designed car. From there, the coffin will be transported to the nearby chapel.

The funeral service itself will begin at 3 p.m. after a national minute of silence. The Dean of Windsor and Archbishop of Canterbury will then receive the coffin. It is there, in the chapel, where only a select group of royal family members will be allowed to attend due to coronavirus regulations.

Following Philip’s funeral, the Duke of Edinburgh will be buried at the Royal Vault of St. George’s Chapel until the Queen’s death. Once the Queen has passed on, they will both be buried at King George VI memorial chapel, according to Sky News.

Philip, Elizabeth’s husband, died at age 99 on April 9, according to a Buckingham Palace announcement. Having been married to the queen for more than 70 years, he was the longest-serving consort of any British monarch.

In Britain, flags around the country hung at half-mast that day in mourning of the royal family’s loss.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” Buckingham Palace wrote in an initial statement posted online that has since been removed.

“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will (be) made in due course. The Royal Family join(s) with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

What do you think of the royal family’s most recent funeral announcements? Are people blowing the decisions out of proportion, or are they worth reading into? Let us know — and be sure to pass this on to friends, family members and other fans of the royal family.