The first mourners have arrived at Windsor Castle where the Queen is today preparing to say her final farewell to her ‘strength and stay’ Prince Philip as his coffin was moved ahead of the poignant procession and the chapel where he will be laid to rest was readied for his arrival this afternoon.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s insignia, Field Marshal’s baton, RAF wings and decorations from Denmark and Greece resting on cushions have been placed on the altar of St George’s Chapel to mark the passing of the ‘grandfather of the nation’.
At 11am his coffin, covered with Philip’s personal standard along with his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers, was moved from Her Majesty’s private chapel to the Inner Hall of Windsor Castle by members of The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
Minutes later a convoy of funeral cars swept into the main gates as a single Queen’s Guard stood to attention, as soldiers on horses trotted into the grounds where 700 armed forces personnel will gather. The castle has a ‘ring of steel’ protecting it led by armed units from the Metropolitan Police.
Tens of millions of people in Britain and around the world will be watching the most important royal funeral since the Queen Mother died in 2002. The event, pared back because of the pandemic, was overseen by Philip for at least 20 years before his death.
Her Majesty is determined to ensure it reflects his ‘unwavering loyalty’ to her during their 73-year marriage and her 68-year reign on the throne as well his lifetime of service to the UK and the Commonwealth in his 99-year life.
In pre-pandemic times thousands of mourners would have travelled to the Berkshire town to pay their respects, but the Royal Family, the Government and police are asking the public to stay away. However, it appears hundreds have defied the warnings and gathered to pay their respects in Windsor despite the risk of fines or even arrest.
People who knew Philip best have said he would be pleased about the smaller crowds because he always demanded ‘no fuss’ in the event of his death.
As Her Majesty begins life without her beloved Philip after 73 years of marriage, it also emerged:
- The Queen is about to follow her husband’s final journey with his coffin borne on the back of a Land Rover he designed himself to act as his hearse. She will be aided by a lady in waiting but will sit alone to mourn her husband in the church;
- The world’s eyes will be on Prince Harry and Prince William, who will see each other for the first time in a year after falling out over Megxit. Royal aides admit to ‘walking on eggshells’ around feuding princes;
- Son of Falklands hero Colonel ‘H’ Jones is among the pallbearers made up of senior officers from Philip’s regiments including his beloved Royal Marines;
- Philip’s funeral service in St George’s Chapel will begin with a national minute’s silence. The service will reflect his ‘unwavering loyalty’ to Queen and country.
- Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will praise Philip’s ‘life of service to the nation and Commonwealth’ at the service;
- The Order of Service, released by the Palace last night, reflects Philip’s naval roots, including the seafarers’ hymn Eternal Father, Strong To Save;
- Buglers of the Royal Marines will sound Action Stations and at the specific request of The Duke of Edinburgh as his coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault;
The first mourners have been swept into Windsor Castle as Prince Philip’s coffin is moved into position ahead of his funeral this afternoon
The first glimpse of the altar inside the chapel shows the Duke’s insignia, Field Marshal’s baton, RAF wings and decorations from Denmark and Greece resting on cushions
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery move along The Long Walk towards the castle ahead of the procession this afternoon
Armed Police on the Long Walk in Windsor ahead of the funeral. As with all royal gatherings, there is a tight security operation in place
Police spotters with masks and binoculars watch the crowds as a ring of steel was formed around the castle to protect mourners
Despite warnings to stay away, crowds built up at Windsor today to say farewell to the ‘grandfather of the nation’
Some mourners did gather outside the Castle to pay their respects, including a man with a painting of the Duke
The wardens of Windsor Castle stand in front of the iconic archway leading into the grounds, where HRH Prince Philip will be laid to rest
The overwhelming majority of people will watch the funeral from their homes, with the BBC, ITV and Sky all broadcasting live
Marshals have also been drafted in to help regulate the event, which is much more muted than usual royal ceremonies
Last night the Palace shared a touching unseen picture of the Queen with her husband, who died peacefully at the castle on Friday last week at 99
This is the funeral procession for tomorrow’s funeral, where William and Harry will not stand next to eachother with the Queen following behind in her car
Early this morning members of the armed forces, police, security and the media were taking up positions around the castle ahead of this afternoon’s ceremony
Early this morning members of the armed forces, police, security and the media were taking up positions around the castle ahead of this afternoon’s ceremony.
While much of the typical pageantry has been pared back, Buckingham Palace says the funeral will still reflect Philip’s life of service and the plans he himself spent years fine-tuning.
Right down to the bespoke Land Rover hearse to carry his own coffin, the event – code-named Operation Forth Bridge – will be executed with military precision, leading up to the 3pm service at St George’s Chapel.
The first glimpses inside the chapel shows the Duke’s insignia, Field Marshal’s baton, RAF wings and decorations from Denmark and Greece resting on cushions at the altar.
The Queen, 94, will say a private farewell to her husband, who she once called her ‘strength and stay’, before his body is driven to the chapel tailed by a small procession including Philip’s four children and three grandsons.
Sources say she has been the ‘epitome of dignity’ this week, and the Archbishop of Canterbury paid tribute to her ‘extraordinary dignity and courage’.
Justin Welby, who will praise Philip’s ‘life of service to the nation and Commonwealth’ at the service, added that he hoped the nation prayed for her and ‘hope for her to find strength in what must be an anguished moment’.
The Dean of Windsor, in the Bidding, will celebrate Philip’s ‘unwavering loyalty to our Queen’ and ‘his service to the nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith’.
The sun shone on Windsor this morning, drawing people to the high street.
Signs have been erected around the town urging members of the public to stay away from Windsor and other royal residences.
Police patrols have been stepped up to enforce Covid rules, which ban large gatherings.
Marshals have also been drafted in to help and were seen trooping through the town in high-vis jackets.
As with all royal events, there was tight security and police divers were pictured searching a drain near the grounds, while snipers kept watch on rooftops.
Reporters were struck by how quiet Windsor was this morning, drawing contrast with past major events such as Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding when the streets were filled with royal fans waving flags.
A police sergeant told MailOnline: ‘It certainly looks like the Royal Family and Prince Phillip have been given the upmost respect.
‘Its 9am and I haven’t talked to one person who has come here to be at the castle today. I think people realise they’re better off at home watching the funeral on television.’
Trains into Windsor from Waterloo and Paddington were empty. A member of the station staff said: ‘Whenever there is a Royal occasion here, you get people sleeping overnight and certainly by 9am every train is packed.
‘Today there hasn’t been a single person who has passed through here to stand outside the castle.’
Local Alicia Evans, 48, who was walking her dog along the iconic Long Walk this morning was one of the few in the area.
She said: ‘If people are staying away then all I can say is good heavens for that.
‘It’s a private funeral with only 30 Royal mourners. This is not one of those occasions where we want to see union flags and bunting.
‘It’s a very sad day and I hope most of the public remember Philip at home in their thoughts and watch the funeral on television.’
A visible armed forces presence was on display, reflecting the Duke’s wishes for a military rather than a state funeral.
Philip served with distinction as a Naval officer in the Second World War and had association with all forces while the Queen’s consort.
The duke’s coffin, draped in his personal standard and bearing his naval cap, sword and a wreath of flowers, will first be seen at 2.41pm today when it emerges from the State Entrance to Windsor Castle carried by a bearer party from The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
Lieutenant Erica Bridge of the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery said Philip’s affection for the armed forces would weigh heavily on the servicemen and women on duty.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today progamme: ‘What is absolutely key to today is that the day is very much in line with the Duke of Edinburgh’s wishes.
‘And that’s a really important thing to those people out there today – knowing that the Duke wanted them to be there and representing those units he had a very close affiliation with.’
Admiral Tony Radakin, the First Sea Lord, added: ‘It is (a naval send-off at the Duke’s funeral) but I think it is much bigger than that.
‘I really do think that for all of us in the military, today is about a royal funeral and it is about playing our part in that, but it is for the Royal Air Force, the British Army and the Royal Navy, and to reflect our dignity and respect and the affection we all had for Prince Philip, and the very clear affection that he had for all of us.’
General Sir Patrick Sanders, Commander of Strategic Command, who has met the duke several times and was at the rehearsal, said viewers can expect a highly moving funeral.
He told BBC Breakfast: ‘I was standing at the rehearsal yesterday and you hear those first notes of Nimrod, and the hairs go up at the back of your neck, you get a lump in your throat.
‘It’s difficult to stifle a tear as you think about the duke and the impact on the royal family and the whole nation – and you stand there a little stiffer, a little straighter, determined to do right by him.’
Royal biographer and Daily Mail columnist Robert Hardman said the funeral plan ‘very much reflects the man’.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today, Mr Hardman said: ‘It is reduced but I don’t think it is any way diminished – the core elements are there.’
He added that it would be a service that ‘very much reflects the man – very unstuffy, unfussy’.
‘You won’t hear a eulogy or any great address – it is very much what he wanted but all the way through it are those echo of his naval career which shaped him,’ Mr Hardman said.
Some members of the public did visit Windsor this morning, including artist Kaya Mar, 65, from south east London, who took an oil painting of Philip, which he painted last week.
He said: ‘I liked him, he was a lovely family man who will be missed. He was hard-working and dedicated to this country and I think people will finally realise his value. He was a good public servant and will be missed.’
Mourners also started congregating a Buckingham Palace, where a massive security operation is also underway.
All surrounding roads have been closed off with dozens of police, some of them armed, on duty. Private security guards have been stationed a police helicopter hovering above.
One officer told MailOnline that they were expecting ‘thousands’ of people to arrive. He added: ‘The funeral may be in Windsor but we’re expecting a lot of people to turn up at Buckingham Palace, as they have been through the week.
‘The sun is out and people have been very moved by Philip’s death. There’s lots of media here and we have to make sure things run smoothly because the eyes of the world are on us.’
The first floral tribute, at Buckingham Palace was laid by Claudia, 10, who was accompanied by her mother Chesma, 40.
Chesma revealed that she and her daughter set off from their East London home shortly after 6am and had laid yellow tulips.
She said: ‘We only moved to the UK from India 10 years ago but in that time we’ve come to love the Royal family. They represent this nation and we wanted to pay our respects to Prince Philip.’
Claudia said: ‘I really wanted to come here because I feel sorry for the Queen. She’s going to miss Prince Philip a lot as we all will.’
Sam Welsh, 68 who laid a bunch of yellow roses said: ‘Philip was alright, he did a good job and made me laugh. I just wanted to honour his memory and pay respect to his life.
‘He was a good bloke and I’m sure we’ll all miss him but not as much as the Queen Mother, who I really loved.’
The overwhelming majority of people will watch the funeral from their homes, with the BBC, ITV and Sky all broadcasting live.
Many have decked their living rooms with union flags in tribute and shared pictures on social media this morning.
A golden glow fell over the grounds of Windsor Castle this morning as dawn broke on the day HRH Prince Philip will be laid to rest
Some members of the public did visit Windsor this morning, despite being urged by Buckingham Palace to stay away
Police officers on a rooftop keeping watch over the surrounding area as part of the ring of steel security operation
Police officers troop through the town of Windsor and take up positions on the estate this morning ahead of Philip’s funeral
In Windsor police patrols will also be stepped up to enforce Covid rules, which bans large gatherings
As with all royal events, there was a tight security operation and police divers were pictured searching a drain near the grounds
A man carrying flowers walks next to Windsor Castle, where at 3pm Prince Philip will be laid to rest
In Windsor police patrols will also be stepped up to enforce Covid rules, which bans large gatherings
Wardens stand outside Windsor Castle on the day of the funeral of Britain’s Prince Philip
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Insignias placed on the altar in St George’s Chapel, Windsor
Insignia belonging to the Duke of Edinburgh, the British Empire Collar and Grand Masters Badge, and the British Empire Breast Star and Badge, placed on the altar in St George’s Chapel
The Order of Merit, the Royal Victorian Chain, and Full Size Medal Group
Last night the Palace shared a touching unseen picture of the Queen with her husband, who died peacefully at the castle on Friday last week at 99.
It shows the couple at one of their ‘happy places’ – the Coyles of Muick hills close to Balmoral, where they enjoyed walking and picnics throughout their long lives together. The Queen so loves the place that she named her new corgi puppy after it.
The photograph – taken by their daughter-in-law the Countess of Wessex in 2003 during one of their family summer holidays – was specially chosen by Her Majesty to share ahead of today’s funeral.
The couple look blissfully happy and relaxed as they sit back in the heather, the Queen in her off duty Scottish dress of a woollen twinset, pearls and a tartan skirt, with Philip in country casuals and a sun hat resting on his knee.
The Queen was seen yesterday walking her puppies Muick and Fergus, a dorgi, in the gardens at Frogmore, where her grandson Prince Harry has been quarantining after flying in from the US, leading to speculation she may have greeted him from a distance.
She is said to have been ‘stoical’ about her husband’s death, and has been personally involved in the funeral preparations, including the order that senior royals wear morning dress instead of uniforms to stop tensions over what Andrew and Harry should wear.
She even found time yesterday to talk to governor general of Australia David Hurley and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, both of whom expressed their condolences.
Lord Chartres, a former bishop of London, today said the Queen, who will sit alone in the chapel because of Covid, would be under ‘extraordinary pressure’ during funeral.
The retired Church of England bishop, who was understood to be close to Philip, told BBC Radio 4’s Today: ‘I hope that today people really will be sending up a prayer for the Queen and for the other members of the royal family because having to grieve in public is an extraordinary pressure and something that most of us would not really want to do.
‘But it is part of their life and their world, and I hope today, and I’m sure, that people won’t forget the personal dimension in the formal ceremonies.’
Covid has loomed large over the funeral, with mourners reduced from around 800 to just 30, and all guests wearing face masks and sitting apart.
Boris Johnson, who gave up his place, left a wreath for the duke outside St George’s Chapel yesterday saying the nation owes ‘more than words can say’.
All those at the socially distanced service will wear masks, including the Queen. The congregation will not be able to sing and the hymns performed by a small choir of four.
The Queen will follow her husband’s coffin on his Land Rover hearse down from the castle to the chapel in her State Bentley. The Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Conner, who will lead the service, will say of the duke: ‘We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith.’
The Archbishop of Canterbury, who will pronounce the Blessing today, said it was important for people to understand the Queen was facing the day with ‘extraordinary dignity and courage’, while saying goodbye to the most important person in her life.
He added that he hoped the nation prayed for her and ‘hope for her to find strength in what must be an anguished moment’.
No sermon will be delivered during the ceremonial royal service, in keeping with Philip’s wishes. His love of the sea and long association with the Royal Navy permeates the Order of Service, with the music chosen by the duke including the hymn Eternal Father, Strong To Save – traditionally associated with seafarers and the maritime armed services.
Police inspect the Long Walk early this morning ahead of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral
Windsor at dawn: The eyes of the world will be on the royal residence today as the Queen says her final goodbye to the Duke of Edinburgh, her husband, strength and stay of 73 years
In pre-pandemic times thousands of mourners would have travelled to the Berkshire town to pay their respects, but the Royal Family, the Government and police are instructing well-wishers to stay away
Pictured: Windsor Castle at dawn this morning The funeral of Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip’s and husband of Queen Elizabeth II is due to take place today at 3pm
A sign of a royal guard wearing a face mask in the town of Windsor where Prince Philip’s funeral will be held later today
Flowers are laid by well-wishers early this morning
The first floral tribute, at Buckingham Palace was laid by Claudia, 10, who was accompanied by her mother Chesma, 40 (left). Sam Welsh, 68 (right) who laid a bunch of yellow roses said: ‘Philip was alright, he did a good job and made me laugh. I just wanted to honour his memory and pay respect to his life’
The Prince of Wales and Princess Royal will lead the Duke of York, Earl of Wessex and other family members walking behind the duke’s coffin, carried on a Land Rover hearse he helped design, during the funeral procession which the Queen will join, travelling by car.
Royal brothers the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex, who have a troubled relationship, will not walk shoulder to shoulder but with their cousin Peter Phillips between them.
Meanwhile, the Queen has been forced to ask her family not to military uniforms to save Harry’s blushes.
Prince Andrew asked to dress as an admiral, has stuck with royal protocol and kept Peter Phillips, her eldest grandchild, at the centre of the procession between the warring brothers.
He is being seen by royal experts as a ‘mediator’ on the day, having supported them when their mother Diana died in 1997.
Keeping Harry and William apart will be seen by some as a missed opportunity to show family unity in the wake of Prince Philip’s death.
Others questioned whether the princes were being kept apart deliberately at their own request, but the Royal Family has refused to discuss it.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘This is a funeral [and] we will not be drawn into those perceptions of drama. The arrangements have been agreed and reflect Her Majesty’s wishes.’
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers claimed that Peter Phillips, Philip’s eldest grandson, has been deliberately chosen to help his two younger cousins find a way forward with their relationship, which has become badly strained in the past year.
He said: ‘Peter Philips was incredibly good with the boys when Diana died, so I think it will be very good for them.
‘Sometimes I think that when people behave very well in public, which I think they will do, they find it easier to behave better in private. Prince Philip and the Queen were conciliators all their life so I’m sure that is what he would have wanted’.
Her Majesty’s youngest son Edward, his wife Sophie and their 17-year-old daughter Lady Louise nodded to well-wishers as they drove through the gates of Windsor Castle this afternoon.
The family then stopped to inspect bouquets, notes, cards and balloons left by well-wishers mourning the death of the Queen’s husband a week ago now moved to outside St George’s Chapel.
Sophie, while looking over handwritten letters from children, could be heard saying ‘how sweet’, before speaking to her husband about the huge amount of flowers.
They walked around for about fifteen minutes before leaving.
Among them were wreaths bearing messages from Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon and the Royal Navy. The couple appeared touched by the tributes.
Edward inspected the tributes 24 hours after his eldest brother Charles shed tears as he did the same at Marlborough House – the home of the Commonwealth – in central London, where floral tributes laid at the gates of Buckingham Palace are brought each evening.
A wreath from Boris Johnson has paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, saying the nation owes him ‘more than words can say’.
The Prime Minister’s written message, laid outside St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, read: ‘In grateful memory of a man to whom the nation owes more than words can say. Sent on behalf of the nation. From the Prime Minister’.
A wreath from Nicola Sturgeon read: ‘With deepest sympathy from the First Minister of Scotland and the Scottish Government.’
The Royal Navy’s tribute read: ‘In gratitude for an exceptional life of service from all ranks of the Royal Navy. Fair winds and following seas.’
This morning more tributes flooded in from personal friends of the Duke.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s great niece has described him as the family’s ‘glue’.
Princess Xenia of Hohenlohe-Langenburg told the BBC: ‘He’s been like a glue for the family, because sadly a lot of our grandmothers passed away much too early.
‘But he was always there, he was the link, so he brought all of us cousins, even though we were in Germany – a lot of us but not all of us – he brought us all together on a lot of family occasions, the last one having been his 90th birthday celebrations 10 years ago at Windsor.
‘We were all there, there was a huge bunch of us, and it was lovely.’
Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan described him as a remarkable human being.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today: ‘We were frequently guests at Sandringham and Balmoral, and in that context established a personal relationship
‘I remember saying to him, ‘How do I refer to you?’. He said, ‘Philip is a perfectly good name’.
‘I think I was very close to knowing the man, the human being, and in that sense I feel the privilege in having known not only an encyclopaedia of knowledge, but also an icon of human dignity.’
Former Buckingham Palace press secretary Charles Anson said: ‘The occasional jokes were often very much enjoyed by those to whom he was speaking, I think he rarely offended all that much.
‘I think Prince Philip’s way of breaking the ice of making a joke including people in a conversation, he was marvellous in that respect.
‘It was Prince Philip who introduced an informal remark and sometimes a joke, but actually when you look back on it very few people took offence, most people could see his sense of humour and knew he was well meaning.
‘He had all that energy and marvellous ideas, and he made great contribution and lightening the atmosphere whilst remaining a very serious figure.’
The Earl of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor and the Countess of Wessex view flowers outside St George’s Chapel, at Windsor Castle yesterday
Yesterday Her Majesty, 94, drove her green Jaguar through the grounds of Windsor Castle, where the Duke of Edinburgh will be laid to rest
Pictured today, the Jaguar Land Rover that will be used to transport the coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh at his funeral
‘We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen’: The order of service for the emotion-filled funeral of Prince Philip minute by minute
Prince Philip’s ‘unwavering loyalty’ to the Queen and his ‘courage, fortitude and faith’ will be put at the heart of his funeral service later today.
A reduced group of 30 friends and royal family members are set to gather at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle this afternoon to mark the death of the long-standing royal, at the age of 99.
Ahead of the 3pm funeral, an order of service, crafted personally by Prince Philip, has been released.
It sets out the details of the 50-minute service, which will include hymns and readings chosen by the Duke. There will also be a full nod to the Prince’s naval heritage.
Philip was closely associated with the Navy for more than 80 years, having enrolled at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth aged 17.
He served at sea during the Second World War – earning a mention in despatches for his bravery – and later held numerous honorary ranks.
Trust Philip to do his own flypast! Soaring solo over the very spot he will be laid to rest, how the Duke of Edinburgh would truly like to be remembered
Soaring over Windsor Castle, this is the Duke of Edinburgh performing his own flypast of the mighty royal fortress.
The photograph shows Philip, then 31, flying solo on the day he was presented with his RAF wings nearly seven decades ago.
He began flying lessons in November 1952 and made his first solo flight in December that year.
Soaring over Windsor Castle, this is the Duke of Edinburgh performing his own flypast of the mighty royal fortress (pictured)
The photograph of him above Windsor in a Harvard Advanced Trainer, an American aircraft, was taken on May 4, 1953, by his instructor Flight Lieutenant Caryl Ramsay Gordon.
The five stars on the fuselage signified his rank of Marshal of the Royal Air Force, to which he had been appointed that year.
He made three solo circuits and landings at White Waltham airfield in Berkshire, about nine miles from Windsor, that day, which was a month before the Queen’s coronation.
He then returned to Buckingham Palace, where he was awarded his wings by then Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir William Dickson.
An RAF examining unit described his flying as ‘thoughtful with a sense of safety and airmanship above average’.
The picture, originally black and white, is retouched in colour here.
It has been shared on the Royal Family’s official Twitter page in its original format with the caption: ‘He gained his RAF wings in 1953, his helicopter wings in 1956 and his private pilot’s licence in 1959.’
Among the hymns will be the well-known Victorian hymn Eternal Father, Strong To Save – a religious song sometimes known as the hymn for the Royal Navy.
It will be sung by a choir of just four at St George’s Chapel due to Covid regulations.
The hymn is strongly associated with the Navy in the UK, but is also popular with the naval traditions of countries like the US and France.
The first verse of the hymn paints a dramatic picture of divine help needed for those who find themselves in trouble on the waters.
The stirring lyrics and music were written by two English ministers – William Whiting providing the words and John B Dykes composing the music.
Philip, a guiding force behind the arrangements for his funeral, also picked a wide range of music from Johann Sebastian Bach to Ralph Vaughan Williams.
The Jubilate in C was written by Benjamin Britten at the duke’s request around 1961 and has gone on to become a staple in cathedrals and churches across the country.
Funeral guests will also hear the choir sing Psalm 104 which was set to music by guitarist and composer William Lovelady.
Originally composed as a cantata in three movements, it was first sung in honour of the duke’s 75th birthday in 1996.
Before the service, a selection of music chosen by the duke will be played – Sir William Harris’s Adagio Espressivo (Sonata in A minor), Percy Whitlock’s Salix (The Plymouth Suite) and Berceuse (Op 31 No. 19) by Louis Vierne.
Bach’s choral prelude Schmucke Dich, O Liebe Seele (Adorn Yourself, O Dear Soul) BWV 654 will also be performed along with Vaughan Williams’ Rhosymedre.
The small choir of four will be conducted by the St George’s Chapel director of music James Vivian and the organ will be played by Luke Bond.
After the duke’s coffin is lowered into the royal vault a Lament will be played by a Pipe Major from the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The duke was Royal Colonel of the Highlanders, 4th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The Last Post will be sounded by buglers of the Royal Marines and, after a period of silence, the Reveille will be played by the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry.
Philip served as Captain General of the Royal Marines for more than six decades and at the end of the service the buglers will sound ‘Action Stations’.
It is played on a warship to signal all hands should go to battle stations and is sometimes featured at funerals of naval men.
As the service draws to a close the Archbishop of Canterbury will pronounce the Blessing and the National Anthem will be sung by just the choir.
And, in accordance with the Duke’s wishes, the service will not contain a sermon nor a eulogy. It will also not be a state funeral – another request made by Prince Philip prior to his death.
The service will be conducted by David Conner, the Dean of Windsor, who during the proceedings will praise Philip’s ‘kindness, humour and humanity’.
During the service, he will say: ‘We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the Nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith.
‘Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humour and humanity.’
Here, ahead of the funeral, is the order of service in full, as set out by Buckingham Palace:
Prince Philip’s (pictured: Prince Philip at St George’s Chapel during an interview with Robert Hardman) in ‘unwavering loyalty’ to the Queen and his ‘courage, fortitude and faith’ will be put at the heart of his funeral service later today
Philip Mountbatten and the then Princess Elizabeth Windsor on their wedding day in November 1947. She would become Queen six years later in June 1953
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip together during the Golden Jubilee Celebrations for Her Majesty in June 2002
Flowers outside St George’s Chapel, at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh at the age of 99
ORDER OF SERVICE
All stand. The coffin is removed from the Land Rover and is carried to the West Steps, where it rests at 3pm for the one-minute National Silence.
The coffin is then carried to the catafalque in the Quire.
Members of the Royal Family who have walked in the procession are conducted to their places in the Quire.
Meanwhile, the choir sings:
THE SENTENCES
I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
John 11. 25-26
I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.
Job 19. 25-27
We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
1 Timothy 6. 7, Job 1. 21
William Croft (1678–1727)
All remain standing. The Dean of Windsor shall say:
THE BIDDING
We are here today in St George’s Chapel to commit into the hands of God the soul of his servant Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. With grateful hearts, we remember the many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us. We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the Nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith. Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humour and humanity. We therefore pray that God will give us grace to follow his example, and that, with our brother Philip, at the last, we shall know the joys of life eternal.
All sit. The choir sings:
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Saviour, whose almighty word
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep,
And calm amid its rage didst sleep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O sacred Spirit, who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
Who bad’st its angry tumult cease,
And gavest light and life and peace:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them whereso’er they go:
And ever let there rise to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
William Whiting (1825–78)
Melita by JB Dykes (1823–76)
Arranged by James Vivian (b 1974)
All remain seated.
THE FIRST LESSON
Ecclesiasticus 43. 11–26
Read by the Dean of Windsor
Look at the rainbow and praise its Maker; it shines with a supreme beauty, rounding the sky with its gleaming arc, a bow bent by the hands of the Most High. His command speeds the snow storm and sends the swift lightning to execute his sentence. To that end the storehouses are opened, and the clouds fly out like birds. By his mighty power the clouds are piled up and the hailstones broken small. The crash of his thunder makes the earth writhe, and, when he appears, an earthquake shakes the hills. At his will the south wind blows, the squall from the north and the hurricane. He scatters the snow-flakes like birds alighting; they settle like a swarm of locusts. The eye is dazzled by their beautiful whiteness, and as they fall the mind is entranced. He spreads frost on the earth like salt, and icicles form like pointed stakes. A cold blast from the north, and ice grows hard on the water, settling on every pool, as though the water were putting on a breastplate. He consumes the hills, scorches the wilderness, and withers the grass like fire. Cloudy weather quickly puts all to rights, and dew brings welcome relief after heat. By the power of his thought he tamed the deep and planted it with islands. Those who sail the sea tell stories of its dangers, which astonish all who hear them; in it are strange and wonderful creatures, all kinds of living things and huge sea-monsters. By his own action he achieves his end, and by his word all things are held together.
All remain seated as the choir sings:
THE JUBILATE
O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands:
serve the Lord with gladness,
and come before his presence with a song.
Be ye sure that the Lord he is God:
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting:
and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be:
world without end. Amen.
Benjamin Britten (1913–76), in C
Written for St George’s Chapel, Windsor at the request of The Duke of Edinburgh
All remain seated.
THE SECOND LESSON
John 11. 21–27
Read by the Archbishop of Canterbury
Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.’
All remain seated as the choir sings:
Psalm 104
The Duke of Edinburgh requested that Psalm 104 should be set to music by William Lovelady.
Originally composed as a cantata in three movements, it was first sung in honour of His Royal Highness’s 75th Birthday.
My soul give praise unto the Lord of heaven,
In majesty and honour clothed;
The earth he made will not be moved,
The seas he made to be its robe. Give praise.
The waters rise above the highest mountain,
And flow down to the vales and leas;
At springs, wild asses quench their thirst,
And birds make nest amid the trees.
The trees the Lord has made are full of vigour,
The fir tree is a home for storks;
Wild goats find refuge in the hills,
From foes the conies shelter in the rocks.
My soul give praise unto the Lord of heaven,
In majesty and honour clothed;
The earth he made will not be moved,
The seas he made to be its robe. Give praise.
O Lord, how manifold is your creation,
All things in wisdom you provide;
You give your riches to the earth,
And to the sea so great and wide.
You take your creatures’ breath and life is ended,
Your breath goes forth and life begins;
Your hand renews the face of earth,
Your praise my whole life I will sing.
My soul give praise unto the Lord of heaven,
In majesty and honour clothed;
The earth he made will not be moved,
The seas he made to be its robe. Give praise.
Words from Psalm 104, adapted by Sam Dyer (b 1945)
William Lovelady (b 1945), abridged and arranged for choir and organ by James Vivian (b 1974) with the composer’s permission
The choir sings:
THE LESSER LITANY
Let us pray.
All sit or kneel.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
But deliver us from evil. Amen.
THE RESPONSES
Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord.
For in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Grant unto him eternal rest.
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
We believe verily to see the goodness of the Lord.
In the land of the living.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
And let our cry come unto thee.
William Smith (1603-45), adapted by Roger Judd, MVO (b 1944)
The Lord’s Prayer, Music by Robert Stone (1516-1613) from John Day’s Certaine Notes 1565
THE COLLECT
The Dean of Windsor shall say:
O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in him, shall not die eternally; who also hath taught us by his Holy Apostle Saint Paul, not to be sorry, as men without hope, for them that sleep in him: We meekly beseech thee, O Father that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in him, as our hope is this our brother doth; and that, at the general resurrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable in thy sight; and receive that blessing, which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, Come ye blessed children of my Father; receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this we beseech thee, O merciful Father through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
The Archbishop of Canterbury shall say:
O eternal God, before whose face the generations rise and pass away, thyself unchanged, abiding, we bless thy holy name for all who have completed their earthly course in thy faith and following, and are now at rest; we remember before thee this day Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, rendering thanks unto thee – for his resolute faith and loyalty, for his high sense of duty and integrity, for his life of service to the Nation and Commonwealth, and for the courage and inspiration of his leadership. To him, with all the faithful departed, grant thy peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and in thy loving wisdom and almighty power work in them the good purpose of thy perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Dean of Windsor, Register of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, shall say:
O Lord, who didst give to thy servant Saint George grace to lay aside the fear of man, and to be faithful even unto death: Grant that we, unmindful of worldly honour, may fight the wrong, uphold thy rule, and serve thee to our lives’ end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God save our gracious Sovereign and all the Companions, living and departed, of the Most Honourable and Noble Order of The Garter. Amen.
O God of the spirits of all flesh, we praise thy holy name for thy servant Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who has left us a fair pattern of valiant and true knighthood; grant unto him the assurance of thine ancient promise that thou wilt ever be with those who go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters. And we beseech thee that, following his good example and strengthened by his fellowship, we may at the last, together with him, be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Archbishop of Canterbury shall say:
O Lord God, when thou givest to thy servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same unto the end, until it be thoroughly finished, which yieldeth the true glory; through him, who for the finishing of thy work laid down his life, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: Deal graciously, we pray thee, with those who mourn; that casting every care on thee they may know the consolation of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All sit as the choir sings:
THE ANTHEM
Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy Saints:
where sorrow and pain are no more;
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Thou only art immortal, the Creator and Maker of man:
And we are mortal, formed of the earth, and unto earth shall we return.
For so thou didst ordain, when thou createdest me, saying,
Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
All we go down to the dust; and, weeping, o’er the grave,
we make our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Russian Kontakion of the Departed
Translated William John Birkbeck (1859–1916)
Kiev Melody, arranged by Sir Walter Parratt, KCVO (1841–1924)
All stand.
As the coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor shall say:
THE COMMENDATION
Go forth upon thy journey from this world, O Christian soul,
In the name of God the Father Almighty who created thee;
In the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee;
In the name of the Holy Spirit who strengtheneth thee;
May thy portion this day be in peace,
and thy dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem. Amen.
All remain standing. Garter Principal King of Arms proclaims:
THE STYLES AND TITLES OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH
Thus it hath pleased Almighty God to take out of this transitory life unto his divine mercy the late most Illustrious and most Exalted Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order upon whom had been conferred the Royal Victorian Chain, Grand Master and Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom, One of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, Admiral of the Fleet, Field Marshal in the Army and Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Husband of Her Most Excellent Majesty Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, whom may God preserve and bless with long life, health and honour and all worldly happiness.
Thereafter, the Pipe Major of The Royal Regiment of Scotland plays:
A LAMENT
The Buglers of the Royal Marines sound.
THE LAST POST
After a period of silence the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry sound.
REVEILLE
The Buglers of the Royal Marines sound.
ACTION STATIONS
Then the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounces:
THE BLESSING
All remain standing as the choir sings:
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save The Queen!
All remain standing in their places as Her Majesty The Queen, members of the Royal Family and members of the Duke of Edinburgh’s family leave the Chapel via the Galilee Porch escorted by the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Music after the service
Luke Bond, Assistant Director of Music, St George’s Chapel, will play Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 546, Johann Sebastian Bach.
Son of Falklands hero Colonel ‘H’ Jones is among pallbearers carrying Philip’s coffin led by Grenadier Guard whose grandfather was an officer at Queen’s coronation
The son of a hero of the Falklands War is among the group of senior officers who will carry Prince Philip on his final journey today.
Deputy Colonel Commandant of The Rifles, Major General Rupert Jones, is the son of Herbert ‘H’ Jones, who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross by the Queen for his heroism in the face of battle with the Argentinians in 1982.
Major General Jones will also be joined as a pallbearer by Lt Alec Heywood, a Grenadier Guard whose grandfather served at both the funeral of George VI and the Queen’s coronation. He will be in command of the bearer party carrying Prince Philip’s coffin.
H Jones, as he was known to all his comrades, was killed as he led the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, into battle on the occupied British islands in the south Atlantic. He was mortally wounded by machine gun fire as he personally led the attack near Goose Green.
His son, Major General Jones, is a leading office in The Rifles. Philip, who served heroically in the Royal Navy during the Second World War was Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment, one of 42 appointments he enjoyed in the British armed forces and the Commonwealth.
Pallbearer Deputy Colonel Commandant of The Rifles, Major General Rupert Jones (left), is the son of Herbert ‘H’ Jones (right), who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross by the Queen for his heroism in the face of battle with the Argentinians in 1982.
Prince Philip lifts his hat during his final public engagement in 2017 with his beloved Royal Marines, whose leaders will help carry Philip’s coffin today
The Jaguar Land Rover that will be used to transport the coffin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at his funeral. He helped design it himself
Lt Alec Heywood will lead the unit from The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards as it moves the coffin from Windsor Castle’s private chapel to the inner hall before the start of the funeral procession.
As a third generation Grenadier Guard Lt Heywood’s family have a long history of service in the British Army. His grandfather captained The Queen’s Company at George VI’s funeral and the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.
Lieutenant Alec Heywood, a third generation Grenadier Guard, will command the Grenadier Guards bearer party. His grandfather was the captain of The Queen’s Company at George VI’s funeral in 1952 and the Queen’s Coronation a year later.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s beloved Royal Marines will accompany his funeral on its final journey.
Commandant General Royal Marines Major General Matthew Holmes will also walk alongside the hearse during the procession.
Philip’s first major appointment after his naval career ended in 1953 was as commander of the marines. His grandson Prince Harry took the role in 2017 until the Queen stripped him of all his titles when he quit as a frontline royal with his wife Meghan Markle.
Other pallbearers include Brigadier Ian Mortimer, Colonel of The Queen’s Royal Hussars, Lieutenant General Roland ‘Roly’ Walker, Regimental Lieutenant Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and Brigadier James Roddis, Deputy Colonel of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Lieutenant General Paul Jaques, Master General of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), the regiment who helped Philip design his Land Rover hearse, will also help carry the coffin, as will Lieutenant General Sir James Hockenhull, Colonel Commandant of the Intelligence Corps, and Group Captain Nick Worrall, Station Commander RAF Northolt Group.
Commandant General Royal Marines Major General Matthew Holmes will also walk alongside the hearse during the procession. Group Captain Nick Worrall, Station Commander RAF Northolt Group, will also accompany the coffin
The British army’s Lt. Gen. Paul Jaques (centre), Master General of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), the regiment who helped Philip design his Land Rover hearse, will also help carry the coffin
Other pallbearers include Brigadier Ian Mortimer (left), Colonel of The Queen’s Royal Hussars, Lieutenant General Roland ‘Roly’ Walker, and Lieutenant General Sir James Hockenhull (right), Colonel Commandant of the Intelligence Corps
Military duties begin hours before the funeral at 3pm on Saturday afternoon, with Philip’s coffin – covered with his personal standard and surmounted with his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers – moved at 11am by a Bearer Party found by The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, from the private chapel to the inner hall of Windsor Castle.
By 2.15pm, the service detachments recognising Philip’s special military relationships will be in position in the Quadrangle, which will also be lined by the Household Cavalry and The Foot Guards.
The Band of the Grenadier Guards, of which Philip was Colonel for 42 years, will lead the procession to St George’s Chapel.
They will be followed by the Major General’s Party, and then the Service Chiefs, which will include the Chief of the Air Staff, Naval Staff and Defence Staff.
Philip had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy and while he gave up active service in 1951, he remained closely connected to it and other military elements throughout his public life.
The coffin, transported from the castle to the chapel in a specially-modified Land Rover Philip helped to design, will be flanked by pallbearers drawn from the duke’s special relationships – the Royal Marines, regiments, corps and air stations.
The route of the procession will be lined by representatives drawn from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Highlanders, 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland and the RAF.
Minute Guns will be fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn for the duration of the procession and a Curfew Tower Bell will sound.
As the procession approaches Horseshoe Cloister, the Band of the Grenadier Guards will stop playing and march through into Denton’s Commons.
The Rifles Guard of Honour, positioned in Horseshoe Cloister, will give a royal salute and the national anthem will be played.
In tribute to Philip’s Naval service, a Royal Naval Piping Party of 1 Chief Petty Officer and 5 Ratings will be present.
The piping party will pipe the ‘Still’ once the Land Rover is stationery at the foot of the steps.
A bearing party of Royal Marines will carry the coffin up the steps and pause for a minute’s silence.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Dean of Windsor will receive the coffin.
Inside the chapel, Philip’s insignia – the medals and decorations conferred on him by the UK and Commonwealth countries – together with his Field Marshal’s baton, Royal Air Force Wings, and insignia from Denmark and Greece, will be pre-positioned on cushions on the altar.
The Last Post will be sounded by buglers of the Royal Marines from the west end of the Nave.
Buglers of the Royal Marines will sound Action Stations during the service at the duke’s request.
It is played on a warship to signal all hands should go to battle stations and is sometimes featured at funerals of naval men.
Members of the royal family will not wear military uniform, but instead the royal men will wear morning coats with their medals while the women will wear day dresses.
She’s left Buckingham Palace for Windsor, is allotting mementoes from Philip to family, writing to friends on black-rimmed cards… and a ‘soft’ new regency by Charles has already begun. RICHARD KAY’s remarkable portrait of Her Majesty as a widow
They had spent their last weeks ‘reminiscing like mad’, sifting through family photographs and old cine camera film which the duke had had digitised.
Mostly they just chatted, especially after Philip’s return from hospital when his failing health meant he slept for much of the day.
Only once did they seriously disagree when the Queen suggested they might look at some of her husband’s oil paintings. Philip firmly refused.
But for the Covid pandemic which had brought them together in a protective bubble at Windsor, these precious moments might have been denied to them. Until last year, they had almost got used to not being together.
One day, not long after Prince Philip’s retirement and when he was living alone at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, the Queen had remarked to one of her Windsor staff: ‘Do you know, I haven’t seen him for six weeks.’
They had spent their last weeks ‘reminiscing like mad’, sifting through family photographs and old cine camera film which the duke had had digitised, writes RICHARD KAY of the Queen and Prince Philip
Anyone who reaches the Queen’s great age must brace themselves for personal loss. And it is certainly true that she had been preparing herself for some time for the day Philip would no longer be there — not that it made it any easier when that moment came on Friday of last week
Anyone who reaches the Queen’s great age must brace themselves for personal loss.
And it is certainly true that she had been preparing herself for some time for the day Philip would no longer be there — not that it made it any easier when that moment came on Friday of last week.
For so long that phrase ‘my husband and I’ had been synonymous with the Queen and the loyal consort always at her side.
Now, and for the rest of her life, she will reign alone — and many wonder what kind of monarch she will be for these twilight years of this second Elizabethan age.
The last widow on the throne was Queen Victoria but she was just 42 when Prince Albert died and for several years grief turned her into a virtual recluse.
As keenly as Philip’s death is felt, there will be no such lengthy period of public sorrowing for the Queen. Indeed there is every chance she will resume official engagements sooner rather than later.
But as we are discovering this will be a form of royal mourning unlike any other.
Earlier this week the Queen returned to duty to pay a formal farewell to her lord chamberlain of the past 15 years, Earl Peel, when he returned his instruments of office.
And yesterday she carried out two more engagements on Commonwealth business, an electronic audience with the Canadian premier Justin Trudeau and the Governor-General of Australia, David Hurley.
There will be change, however. Much will depend on Prince Charles and Prince William who already have accumulated many of the Queen’s duties and will take on more.
Charles, for example, is now keeping an eye on the running of the Duchy of Lancaster, the ancient estate of land, property and other assets from which the Queen’s private income derives.
One day, not long after Prince Philip’s retirement and when he was living alone at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, the Queen had remarked to one of her Windsor staff: ‘Do you know, I haven’t seen him for six weeks’
Now, and for the rest of her life, she will reign alone — and many wonder what kind of monarch she will be for these twilight years of this second Elizabethan age
As keenly as Philip’s death is felt, there will be no such lengthy period of public sorrowing for the Queen. Indeed there is every chance she will resume official engagements sooner rather than later
Both the Prince of Wales and his son have also been involved in the so-called ‘bridge meetings’ with senior palace staff who are overseeing this next chapter in the Queen’s life.
One thing is certain: Windsor now will become the centre of royal life.
Staff have been told that the castle will be the Queen’s permanent home (barring Christmas holidays at Sandringham and summers in Balmoral) and that while she will return to work at Buckingham Palace, it is unlikely she will ever spend another night there.
If weekly audiences with the Prime Minister are permitted post-Covid to resume, this means Mr Johnson will have to travel from Downing Street to Windsor, while ambassadors and high commissioners may also have to present their official credentials there too.
But to smooth diplomatic channels this is one function that with the greater authority conferred on Charles, he may take over and handle himself from Buckingham Palace.
One thing the Queen won’t do is step down in favour of her son; there are no plans for a regency.
But the virus which forced the Queen and Prince Philip to retreat from public life for long periods shielding at Windsor with a small staff known as HMS Bubble, has meant adjustments.
Tellingly it was Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall who carried out the first royal engagement this year, visiting a hospital named after his mother.
Was this the beginning, perhaps of a soft regency in which the Queen does not technically stand down but Charles takes on ever more of her responsibilities?
In one of his few public comments on this controversial issue the prince has insisted his mother should only retire in the event of mental or physical incapacity.
‘Queen Victoria in her 80s was much loved, more known, more revered than at any time in her reign,’ he told the writer Kenneth Harris. ‘Much would have been lost had she stepped back before her prime.’
He might easily have been talking about his mother. As for the Queen, the constitutional expert Dr Robert Morris once said: ‘As long as she can raise her hand or twitch an eyebrow, that should be enough.’
And in the sunset of her reign it is certainly the case that she has seemed more accessible, more witty and more wise than perhaps at any time.
Nothing illustrated her unique ability to divine the mood of the nation better than that televised broadcast she made in March last year with the country gripped by fear of the pandemic.
Her message of reassurance and calm was down to her innate sense — born of long experience — of what to do and say.
And then there is humour. Just the other day she brought laughter to a group of scientists during a Zoom meeting after they asked her what Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, was like when she met him 60 years ago.
‘Russian,’ she deadpanned before breaking into a smile.
Inevitably, with the death of Philip, Britain is tiptoeing towards thoughts of a new reign.
The funeral today, choreographed by her late husband but tweaked by the Queen to avoid rancour – the instruction for mourners not to wear military uniforms to avoid a furore over Prince Harry, for example – will reflect that changing order.
For the Queen Philip’s absence will be profound. In the days and weeks ahead the goodwill and gratitude that people feel for her personally after nearly 70 years on the throne will perhaps be her greatest comfort
One thing is certain: Windsor now will become the centre of royal life. Staff have been told that the castle will be the Queen’s permanent home
While she will return to work at Buckingham Palace, it is unlikely she will ever spend another night there
The funeral today, choreographed by her late husband but tweaked by the Queen to avoid rancour – the instruction for mourners not to wear military uniforms to avoid a furore over Prince Harry, for example – will reflect that changing order
The minute-by-minute arrangements for Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday have been revealed and are shown above, starting at 11am and finishing just after 3pm
Intriguingly, over the course of lockdown many of Her Majesty’s private papers have been brought from London to Windsor and this will now include personal possessions.
For the next month at least the Queen will draw on a supply of black-edged writing paper for all her correspondence, in line with royal tradition, and just as she did after the death of the Queen Mother in 2002.
There will be a lot of letters of condolence to acknowledge. The postbag is said by staff to be huge and growing every day.
She will wear black clothes and observe court mourning — but not for long. One idea among courtiers is of an exhibition to highlight the Duke of Edinburgh’s contribution to the life of the nation.
This could mean those fabled oils he was reluctant to look at again being put on show.
What won’t change, of course, will be the royal in-tray.
The fallout from Harry and Meghan’s departure from royal life amid their incendiary claims of racism and the unsettling future of Prince Andrew over his friendship with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Even after his retirement and unwillingness to be directly involved, Philip was a consoling figure in all these dramas.
Sustained by her deep faith, she will doubtless be a study in regal composure throughout today’s sad event.
Although she has spoken to her children and grandchildren this week, she has spent much of the time alone.
For the next month at least the Queen will draw on a supply of black-edged writing paper for all her correspondence, in line with royal tradition, and just as she did after the death of the Queen Mother in 2002
But this has been her choice and it has allowed her to have moments of prayer in the private chapel, barely a minute’s walk down the Green Corridor from her rooms, where Philip’s coffin has rested.
For now everything is as it was just over a week ago. But in time there will be activity in the suite of rooms which adjoins her as an inventory is compiled of her husband’s property, uniforms and clothes.
‘I think she will want to keep a lot of familiar things in place which seems only natural,’ says a source.
Practical as ever Philip had handled much of this sorting out himself in recent years, checking through papers he felt should go to the Windsor archive and destroying those that should not.
‘He always said she must carry on and I am sure that is exactly what she will do,’ says a lady in waiting.
There are bequests to arrange, special mementoes that Philip has left not just for his children and grandchildren but also for members of his German family, who will be represented at the funeral.
Princess Anne, for example, is said to have been earmarked a painting of her with her father during a Cowes regatta week.
There will be decisions to take over Philip’s devoted servants who the Queen acknowledges made her husband’s final years the comfortable retirement he had deserved.
Some will retire while others will be offered positions elsewhere in the royal household.
And when it comes to conducting herself, there is a template, that of the Queen Mother.
She, of course, was a widow at 52 with decades of life ahead of her. The loss of her husband also meant the surrendering of her status as Queen and the trappings of monarchy.
One of the first things she did was to buy her own home, the Castle of Mey, which became a refuge in her grief.
Then at the urging of her daughter, who so badly needed her guidance and of the then Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the Queen Mother put aside personal desolation to continue with her life of service and duty.
Somehow it seems unlikely Boris Johnson will be asking the Queen to resume work. She will do so anyway.
But on a personal level, Philip’s death robs her of the man who was not just her husband, confidant and wise counsel but also her gatekeeper.
‘Who now will protect her when Prince Andrew comes asking for more money?’ says one of her long time aides.
‘When the Queen complained out loud of her children, ‘Why do they always bring their troubles to me?’ Philip always stepped in.’
Theirs was a relationship quite unlike any other. When her children and adult grandchildren come to call, it is always with formality — a kiss and a curtsy or a bow, even in private. Only Philip put his arm around her.
In this last year, brought together because of the covid crisis and before Philip’s most recent illness, they were as close as they had been for years.
For one palace aide who found himself called in to wait on the couple because of staff shortages caused by the pandemic, it was an eye-opener.
‘They bickered with one another. It was sweet but so unexpected. On one occasion I heard the duke say ‘Oh do shut up you silly woman’ and the Queen replied ‘I am not a silly woman, I am the Queen!’
‘I couldn’t believe my ears but I was told this was how they always were with one another.’
Often at this time of year, a week ahead of her birthday, the Queen liked to slip away from the formality of Windsor for Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey was filmed, to stay with Jean, the dowager Countess of Carnarvon.
Often at this time of year, a week ahead of her birthday, the Queen liked to slip away from the formality of Windsor for Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey was filmed, to stay with Jean, the dowager Countess of Carnarvon
But her death two years ago was one of a number of close friends who have passed away in recent times.
In the past year alone she has lost Lady Mary Colman and Lady Elizabeth Anson, both cousins and both close friends, and Lady Vestey, Prince Harry’s godmother.
Two new companions, a gift from a family member, however, have become close friends — her dogs Fergus, a corgi-dachshund cross and Muick, a pure bred corgi, pronounced Mick and named after a loch on the Balmoral estate.
Later today if she is not too tired she will don headscarf and raincoat and take the dogs for a short walk. For years it has been her way of coping with domestic misfortune and great unhappiness.
Constitutionally the death of Prince Philip changes nothing. His death is not the end of a reign even if it does, momentarily, feel like it.
But it does signal the start of a change. Losing your beloved partner of 73 years would be a blow for anyone let alone a woman of almost 95 who has to go on being monarch.
For the Queen Philip’s absence will be profound. In the days and weeks ahead the goodwill and gratitude that people feel for her personally after nearly 70 years on the throne will perhaps be her greatest comfort.
Land Rover hearse that Philip designed himself: Open top Defender TD5 130 was custom built to Duke’s orders at manufacturer’s Solihull factory in 16-year project – including new coat of military green paint
For 16 years Prince Philip tinkered and toiled on a secret project he knew he would never live to see used – the hearse to carry his own coffin.
Now, two days before his funeral on Saturday, the custom-made Land Rover designed by the Duke has been unveiled for the first time.
His work on the bespoke Land Rover Defender TD5 130 chassis cab begun in 2003, the year he turned 82, and was finished aged 98 in 2019.
The open-top rear has been modified to fit his coffin and equipped with special rubber grips on silver pins – known as the ‘stops’ – to keep it secure while it makes the journey through Windsor to St George’s Chapel.
A military man to his core, Philip also requested the original Belize Green paintwork was changed to Dark Bronze Green like those used by the armed forces.
Now, two days before his funeral on Saturday, the custom-made Land Rover designed by the Duke has been unveiled for the first time
The Land Rover Defender hearse that will carry Philip’s coffin is seen for the first time as it is driven into Windsor Castle today
His work on the bespoke Land Rover Defender TD5 130 chassis cab begun in 2003, the year he turned 82, and was finished aged 98 in 2019
The open top rear has been modified to fit his coffin and equipped with special rubber grips on silver pins – known as the ‘stops’ – to keep it secure while it makes the journey through Windsor to St George’s Chapel
For 16 years Prince Philip tinkered and toiled on a secret project he knew he would never live to see used – the hearse to carry his own coffin
The military green repaint was one of many modifications Philip made to the vehicle, that was first built a the manufacturer’s Solihull factory.
With heavy duty wheels and angular structure, the sturdy design stands testament to the Duke’s penchant for engineering and functionality.
Indeed, Jaguar Land Rover’s chief executive has admired Philip’s handiwork, hailing his ‘impressive knowledge and deep interest in vehicle design, engineering and manufacturing’.
Land Rover has maintained the vehicle since it was built and has prepared it for the funeral in collaboration with the Royal Household.
Chief executive Thierry Bollore said: ‘We are deeply privileged to have enjoyed a very long and happy association with the Duke of Edinburgh over many decades.
‘We are also honoured that the Land Rover which the duke designed will be used at the funeral on Saturday.
‘The duke was a tremendous champion for design, engineering and technology.
‘During his visits to our sites he engaged with hundreds of employees and demonstrated his impressive knowledge and deep interest in vehicle design, engineering and manufacturing.
‘The duke was a truly remarkable man and will be greatly missed.’
The military green repaint was one of many modifications Philip made to the vehicle, that was first built a the manufacturer’s Solihull factory
Details on the vehicle include matching green hubs, a black front grille, a single cab and no registration plates
With heavy duty wheels and angular structure, the sturdy design stands testament to the Duke’s penchant for engineering and functionality
Details on the vehicle include matching green hubs, a black front grille, a single cab and no registration plates.
The Duke used Land Rovers throughout his adult life and granted his Royal Warrant to Land Rover over 40 years ago.
He visited Jaguar Land Rover’s manufacturing facilities on numerous occasions over the decades and accompanied the Queen when she opened Jaguar Land Rover’s new Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton in 2014.
The Land Rover’s original role would also have been to transport the duke 22 miles from Wellington Arch in central London to Windsor, but the coronavirus pandemic curtailed the long-held plans for military parades in honour of Philip through the streets of both the capital and the Berkshire town.
It will be flanked by pall bearers reflecting the duke’s special relationships with the military, the Royal Marines, Regiments, Corps and Air Stations.
Palace officials have told how the duke’s interest in design sparked his desire to make the Land Rover and include it in his funeral plans, codenamed Operation Forth Bridge.
Two Land Rovers were made for ‘belt and braces’ in case a backup was needed.
In 2019, the duke, then 97, was driving a Land Rover Freelander when he was involved in a serious car crash involving a mother and a baby.
The car Philip was driving was hit by another vehicle when he pulled out of a driveway on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk on to a busy A road, after being dazzled by the low sun.
The duke’s car flipped over and he was trapped, and had to be rescued through the sunroof by a passing motorist. He was miraculously unscathed.
The baby was unhurt, but both women in the other vehicle had to be treated in hospital, and one broke her wrist.
Three weeks after the crash, Buckingham Palace announced that Philip’s driving days on public roads were finally over and that he had voluntarily surrendered his driving licence.
The CPS later confirmed Philip would face no action over the crash.