Prince Philip’s funeral next Saturday as Meghan is advised by doctors not to travel 

The country will come together and hold a minute’s silence as the Duke of Edinburgh is carried to his funeral next week, on a specially-modified Land Rover he helped design.  

Buckingham Palace today announced that Prince Philip’s ceremonial royal funeral will take place on April 17 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, and a national minute’s silence will be observed as it begins at 3pm. 

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not be among guests, having stepped aside to allow for the attendance of as many family members as possible during coronavirus restrictions, No 10 said tonight. 

Prince Harry will travel to the UK to be with his family for the service, but his wife Meghan will remain at their home in California after being ‘advised not to travel’ by her doctor. 

Official royal mourning will then take place for two weeks after the funeral.  

Only 30 people – expected to be the Duke’s children, grandchildren and other close family – will attend as guests.  

The announcement came as Prince Charles paid a poignant tribute to his father, describing his ‘dear Papa’ as a ‘very special person’ and ‘the most remarkable, devoted’ companion to the Queen in an emotional video released this evening. 

In a moving address and speaking without notes, the Prince of Wales said his father would have been ‘deeply touched’ by the sorrow felt by millions of people in Britain and across the world at news of his passing. 

He said he would miss his father ‘enormously’ and added that his family were ‘deeply grateful’ for the condolences offered, which he said would ‘sustain us’ at this ‘particularly sad time’. 

The Earl and the Countess of Wessex spent around an hour with the Queen at the castle on Saturday, with a tearful Sophie telling reporters as she left: ‘The Queen has been amazing.’  

While he had always insisted he wanted minimal fuss when he died, the typically irreverent Duke will be taken to the chapel on a custom-made Land Rover designed to his specifications. 

The Land Rover ‘hearse’ is a fitting tribute to Philip – the nation’s longest consort – who was known for his practical skills and his enduring interest in design and engineering.

The purpose-built Land Rover was specially modified to carry a coffin – in a project that the duke helped with many years ago.

The vehicle will process slowly through the grounds of Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral, draped in his personal standard, a wreath of flowers and his naval cap and sword.

A bearer party from the Grenadier Guards will place the coffin on the Land Rover at the state entrance of the castle, before the vehicle begins the eight-minute journey at walking pace to the west steps of the chapel.

It will be flanked by pall bearers reflecting the duke’s special relationships with the military – the Royal Marines, Regiments, Corps and Air Stations.

Immediately behind the Land Rover, the Prince of Wales and other members of the royal family, likely to be the duke’s other children and some of his grandchildren, will proceed on foot.

The Land Rover’s poignant role in the funeral proceedings always formed part of Operation Forth Bridge – the codename given to the plans following Philip’s death. 

A senior Palace official said: ‘The Duke of Edinburgh had a hand many years ago in the design of these vehicles.’ The official added that there were two Land Rovers for ‘belt and braces’.

The Queen has approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation of national mourning, which began on April 9 and runs until and including the day of the funeral.  

Originally 800 people would have been due to gather to pay their respects to the nation’s longest serving consort, but Philip is known to have wanted a low key affair. 

The first guest confirmed by the palace was the duke’s long-standing close aide, his private secretary Brigadier Archie Miller Bakewell, who will be one of the few, and possibly only, non-royals invited to attend.

Brigadier Miller Bakewell had been the Duke’s right hand man for 11 years, taking on the role in 2010. 

And brothers William and Harry are expected to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ a they come together for the first time since Harry’s bombshell Oprah interview.   

All public elements of the funeral have been cancelled, and it will be televised but take place entirely in the grounds of the castle, the Palace said. 

The Queen has decided the royal family will enter two weeks of royal mourning, and engagements will continue appropriate to the circumstances, a senior royal official said. 

The duke died peacefully in his sleep at Windsor Castle on Friday, two months before his 100th birthday, leaving the Queen and the royal family ‘mourning his loss’. 

The Duke of York arrived at Windsor on Saturday, while the Prince of Wales visited his mother there on Friday. Princess Anne left Windsor Castle accompanied by her husband and son Peter Phillips, after visiting her mother this afternoon. 

Gun salutes have been fired across the UK, in Gibraltar and at sea in tribute to the duke.

Public elements of Operation Forth Bridge – the codename for the duke’s funeral plans – were abandoned for fear of drawing crowds including the long held arrangements for military processions through London and Windsor.

Instead, the proceedings will take place entirely in the grounds of Windsor Castle, televised, but away from public view and with no access for royal fans.

A statement on the official Royal Family Twitter page this evening read: ‘The plans for the funeral are in line with His Royal Highness’s own personal wishes. The occasion will recognise and celebrate The Duke’s life and more than 70 years of service to The Queen, the UK and the Commonwealth.’ 

Confirming that the PM would not be in attendance, a No 10 spokesperson said: ‘As a result of the coronavirus regulations, only 30 people can attend the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. 

‘The Prime Minister has throughout wanted to act in accordance with what is best for the Royal household, and so to allow for as many family members as possible will not be attending the funeral on Saturday.’  

The English Football League has also announced that all matches scheduled for 3pm next Saturday will be moved to avoid clashing with Prince Philip’s funeral. There are 32 games across the Championship, League One and League Two that were set to get underway at 3pm on the day of the funeral.

On the day of the funeral, the duke’s coffin, accompanied by the Dean of Windsor and the Lord Chamberlain, will be moved to the State Entrance of Windsor Castle by a Bearer Party of The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. 

On the grass in the Castle’s Quadrangle will be representative detachments drawn from Philip’s military special relationships.

The Quadrangle 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, reflecting His Royal Highness’s close relationship with the military.   

The procession from the state entrance to the west steps of St George’s Chapel will take eight minutes. 

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 Royal Air Force.

Minute guns will be fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the east lawn of Windsor Castle for the duration of the procession, and the Curfew Tower Bell will toll.

A Guard of Honour and Band from The Rifles will receive the coffin at the foot of the west steps, with the national anthem being played as the coffin enters Horseshoe Cloister.

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 the minute’s silence. The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Dean of Windsor will then receive the coffin.

In keeping with coronavirus guidelines to limit guests inside the chapel, most of the procession will not enter St George’s, except for members of the royal family, and the duke’s private secretary Archie Miller Bakewell.

A Palace spokesman said: ‘This event will be much reduced in scale with no public access. 

‘In line with Government guidelines and public health measures, there will be no public processions and the duke’s funeral will take place entirely within the grounds of Windsor Castle.

‘The plans have been given final approval by the Queen and reflect appropriately Government advice.

‘Despite these necessary changes, they still very much reflect the personal wishes of the duke.

‘Although the ceremonial arrangements are reduced, the occasion will still celebrate and recognise the duke’s life and his more than 70 years of service to the Queen, the UK and the Commonwealth.’

The Royal Family still faces a dilemma over who to invite to Prince Philip’s funeral due to the coronavirus restrictions in place across England.

The Queen will only be able to invite 30 people to the ceremony – plus the clergy – at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Originally there were going to be 800 mourners from across the Duke of Edinburgh’s military units, charities and associates from across the Commonwealth.

The final list, which is expected in the next few days, will likely be made up of senior members of the Royal Family.

Prince Philip said he wanted a funeral with minimal fuss, but the passing of Britain’s longest serving consort was always going to be a big affair – and lorries were today seen hauling scaffolding into Windsor Castle for the preparations.

His hope for a ‘royal ceremonial funeral’ – similar to the Queen Mother’s – rather than a full state funeral, had already been granted.

But the pandemic and restrictions means this has been hastily redrawn, with Her Majesty said to have been in talks with officials last night.

They tweaked Operation Forth Bridge and are having to drastically scale back the number of people invited to the ceremony, next Saturday.

The names of those invited have not been released, but it is expected to be mostly made up of senior members of the Royal Family.

The first names on the list will likely be Her Majesty, Prince Charles and Prince William – those directly in line to the throne.

Prince Philip’s other children are also expected to be there: Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Next could be the partners of the senior royals, who are present at most official events.

These are Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Royal’s husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. 

The rest of those to be invited is less certain but the remaining could heavily feature more distant members of the Royal Family.

Princess Anne’s children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall could be there, with Zara’s husband and former England rugby star Mike also present.

Princess Beatrice could be joined by Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who she married last year.

Her younger sister Princess Eugenie may well also be invited, along with her husband of three years Jack Brooksbank.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex’s children may also make the cut – Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.

It is also likely the Queen will invite her cousins and their spouses: Princess Alexandra, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, who have offered loyal support and service over the years.

And the Queen is close to the children of her late sister Princess Margaret – her nephew the Earl of Snowdon and niece Lady Sarah Chatto – and is likely to want them to be present as a source of comfort. 

Before the pandemic, it was planned the vehicle would transport the duke’s coffin from Wellington Arch in central London to Windsor, and travel up the Long Walk, with members of the royal family joining the procession part way and walking through Windsor town centre to the castle.

All public elements of the funeral have been removed – including large-scale processions through London and Windsor – so as not to draw crowds during the coronavirus crisis. 

Following the duke’s death at the age of 99 on Friday, Jaguar Land Rover paid tribute, highlighting Philip’s ‘significant contribution to UK manufacturing, engineering and design’.

The firm said on Twitter: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

‘Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen & Royal Family. The Duke devoted his life to public service & made a significant contribution to UK manufacturing, engineering & design.’

A Palace spokesman said: ‘The duke had a great interest in design so that is where the involvement of the Land Rover comes from.

‘The Land Rover was very much part of the original plans as approved by the duke.’ 

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.

The Queen and Philip’s 10 great-grandchildren – Savannah and Isla Phillips; Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis of Cambridge; Mia, Lena and Lucas Tindall; Archie Mountbatten-Windsor; and August Brooksbank – are likely to be considered too young to attend the televised proceedings as all are aged 10 and under. 

Under the previous plans for his funeral – known in the royal household as ‘Forth Bridge’ – his body would have been embalmed immediately and taken to the Albert Memorial Chapel by St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The duke’s coffin currently lies at rest in the private chapel of Windsor Castle. 

Under pre-Covid plans, it would have been brought to London today by road and taken to St James’s Palace to reside temporarily in the intimate Chapel Royal.

The College of Arms said yesterday there will be no lying-in-state and Philip’s coffin would lie at rest at Windsor Castle ahead of his funeral in St George’ Chapel, next Saturday.

It will have been draped with his personal standard – which bears references to his Danish and Greek royal heritage, his Mountbatten roots and Edinburgh title – and a floral wreath from his family.

A vigil by his children – Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward – is likely to take place at Windsor. 

The duke will be placed on a gun carriage belonging to the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, drawn by a Royal Navy gun crew. 

The carriage – a personal request by Philip – is the one that carried Queen Victoria at her funeral in 1901. 

Twelve singers known as lay clerks still live there, and they will perform during the service, with a bell tolling throughout. 

The coffin will be taken into the Quire – the resting place of most of the monarchs buried at the chapel.

Inside or under the Quire are Edward VII, Henry VI, Edward IV, George III, George IV and William IV, Henry VIII and Charles I.

Philip’s catafalque will be placed on a black marble slab, which is the entrance to the Royal Vault.

The hymns requested by the prince are believed to include his favourite seafarer’s anthem, For Those In Peril On The Sea. 

At the end of the service a Psalm and the ‘ashes to ashes’ text will be read as a piper plays a lament. 

The coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault and will remain there until the Queen dies and they are buried together in the memorial chapel.

The day after the funeral, flags will be brought back to full mast, although the Court will remain in mourning for three more weeks.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: ‘During the coronavirus pandemic, and in light of current government advice and social distancing guidelines, modified funeral and ceremonial arrangements for His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh are being considered by Her Majesty The Queen. Details will be confirmed in due course.’ 

The Queen has entered an eight-day period of mourning following the death of her husband aged 99 – as arrangements for his funeral, codenamed Operation Forth Bridge, have begun.

Royal fans have been told not to attend any part of the events that make up the funeral due to Covid restrictions.

They have also been asked not to lay flowers that could encourage crowds which may spread the coronavirus. 

The number of people wanting to pay tribute to the Duke could present difficulties for police forces due to England’s ban on gatherings of more than six people or two households. 

Buckingham Palace instead invited well-wishers to sign a book of condolences – but only online, to avoid crowds and queues. 

The royal family has appealed to people who wish to pay their respects in person to stay at home instead.

The Palace spokesman said: ‘While there is sadness that the public will not be able to physically be part of events to commemorate the life of the duke, the royal family asks that anyone wishing to express their condolences do so in the safest way possible and not by visiting Windsor or any other royal palaces to pay their respects.

‘The family’s wish is very much that people continue to follow the guidelines to keep themselves and others safe.

‘His Royal Highness’s funeral will be broadcast to enable as many people as possible to be part of the occasion, to mourn with us and celebrate a truly extraordinary life.’ 

Police officers on horses stopped crowds forming in front of a sign announcing his death on the railings of the palace.

During the eight days of mourning The Queen will not carry out any duties even in private under Covid restrictions, laws will not be given the Royal Assent and affairs of state will also be paused. 

Scores of people will be involved in the days ahead, from military guards and the clergy, to staff at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, who will be making sure the household continues to run smoothly during this traumatic time for the Queen.  

Official engagements, most of which are presently online, can continue during this time, although most are postponed or cancelled, but it depends on the wishes of the monarch.

In non-pandemic times, social engagements would usually be cancelled, except those for charitable causes. 

There are various types of mourning, but Royal – also known as Court – Mourning, includes the royal family, royal households and the Queen’s representatives in the UK and abroad wearing black and also using black-edged writing paper.  

Most of Britain’s monarchs are buried in Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel, but both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are in a mausoleum in Frogmore Gardens. 

After her husband’s death, Victoria lived largely in isolation at Balmoral until she died on January 22, 1901. Her 40 years of mourning severely damaged the monarchy. 

Following the Duke’s death, Union flags will fly at half-mast around Britain, but Philip will not lie in state and there will be no state funeral.

The Lord Chamberlain, the most senior officer of the royal household, will be in charge of arrangements.

The Queen is also expected to broadcast a televised message to the nation at some stage over the next few days, although this is dependent on how she feels.

In normal times, there would be early morning rehearsals over the next week for a gun carriage and procession through the streets of London, and another in Windsor.

The day before his funeral, the coffin would be moved across the road from Chapel Royal to the Queen’s Chapel to allow an easier transfer to the gun carriage.

The funeral itself would be held in Windsor, while a military procession would take place from St James’s Palace, down Marlborough Road and up The Mall.

The gun carriage holding the coffin would then pass around the Queen Victoria Memorial, Buckingham Palace and up Constitution Hill to Wellington Arch.

Members of the military would lead the procession, with the royal family and household walking behind – but the Queen would be expected to go straight to Windsor. 

At Wellington Arch, there would be a royal salute before a ceremonial transfer sees with the coffin moved to a Land Rover hearse or car and taken to Windsor. 

On arrival in Windsor, there would be a slow procession driven up the Long Walk with drummers, military and members of the royal family following behind.

It would move up the Long Walk, through Cambridge Gate and then onto Park Street, High Street, past the Guildhall and Castle Hill and in through the Henry VIII gate. 

The arrangements are codenamed Forth Bridge, after the Scottish landmark and Unesco World Heritage Site.

The railway bridge, crossing the Forth Estuary in Scotland, which opened in 1890, remains one of the greatest cantilever trussed bridges 

Plans for the aftermath of the duke’s death have been in place for many years, and were updated and reviewed regularly by Buckingham Palace staff in consultation with the Queen and Philip. 

Complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, Forth Bridge has been adjusted to take account of the crisis.

The duke’s funeral was due to have a strong military presence in recognition of his naval career and his links with the armed forces.

But the prospect of creating a spectacle that could potentially attract hundreds of thousands of people means there is no longer expected to be a military procession in London or any processions through Windsor. 

Those servicemen and women taking part will rapidly begin their preparations, from practising routines to polishing helmets and swords. 

Royal dressers will be fastidiously choosing and preparing black mourning ensembles.

Thames Valley Police will be tasked with dealing with the security needed in the days ahead, and preventing mass gatherings.

The Royal Households have a long history of making detailed plans for royal funerals.

Arrangements for the Queen Mother’s – codenamed Tay Bridge – were 22 years old by the time she died at the age of 101.

London Bridge is the codename for the Queen’s funeral plans.

In 2004, thieves broke into a car which belonged to a palace press officer at a motorway service station and made off with a briefcase which contained the secret plans regarding the Queen.

But the case and its confidential contents were found and returned by a member of the public.

It was once said that Philip, who was known for his acerbic wit, was amused by the fact that many of those involved in the planning of his funeral had themselves died before him.

Not all royal death arrangements have been so meticulously ordered.

Queen Victoria died at the age of 81 in 1901 after a period of ill health, but the Earl Marshal, who was responsible for the funeral, had no plans in place.

The complex arrangements, including transporting Victoria’s body across the Solent from the Isle of Wight and facilitating a two-hour military procession through London involving thousands of people, had to be organised from scratch in 10 days.

In contrast, her son, Edward VII, insisted his own funeral was planned well in advance.

Your guide to Prince Philip’s funeral service that he tailor made for himself: Duke of Edinburgh’s body will be borne by a Land Rover and taken to the steps of St George’s Chapel

Borne by a Land Rover and in the presence of his family and representatives of the military establishment that was so close to his heart, Philip’s body will be taken to the steps of St George’s Chapel, Windsor. 

Based on details released by Buckingham Palace yesterday, this is how his funeral service will then take place next Saturday afternoon.

1 The coffin, covered with Philip’s personal standard and a wreath of flowers, is borne by 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards from Windsor Castle’s private chapel.

2 2.40pm. It reaches the castle state entrance. Accompanying the coffin will be the Dean of Windsor and the Lord Chamberlain. Those gathered in the quadrangle ‘pay compliments’.

Royal Marines place the coffin on a Land Rover.

The procession sets off, led by Band of the Grenadier Guards, followed by the Major General’s Party and the Service Chiefs.

3 The route is lined by representatives of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Highlanders, 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland and the RAF. Minute guns are fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn. The Curfew Tower bell tolls.

4 2.53pm. The procession reaches St George’s Chapel West Steps. A Guard of Honour and Band from The Rifles receives the coffin at the foot of the steps. The National Anthem is played as the coffin enters Horseshoe Cloister. A bearing party of Royal Marines carries the coffin up the steps.

3pm. Pause for a minute’s silence. The Archbishop of Canterbury and Dean of Windsor receive the coffin. Only members of the Royal Family and Philip’s private secretary, Archie Miller-Bakewell, enter the chapel. 

The Service begins with the coffin carried to the catafalque in the Quire.

Albert Memorial Chapel 

Philip’s body is believed to have been moved here. The chapel was created by Queen Victoria in honour of her husband, Albert, in 1875.

Portraits of the couple’s nine children were included among decorations of gilding, marble, mosaics, precious stones and coloured glass.

King George VI Memorial Chapel 

It is widely believed the Queen wishes to be buried alongside Philip here. The bodies of her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother, as well as the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret, are interred here.

His personal standard

Prince Philip’s Standard knits together his rich lineage and personal history. The flag is quartered into Denmark, Greece, Mountbatten and Edinburgh – representing the two royal families he descends from, as well as his surname and title.

Born into the Greek and Danish royal families, he renounced his right to either throne when he became a British subject before his marriage to Princess Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey in 1947. 

Denmark is represented on the standard by three blue lions passant and nine red hearts on a yellow field, while Greece consists of a white cross on a blue field. 

Before his wedding, he adopted his mother’s surname of Mountbatten, represented by five vertical stripes. After his marriage, he was designated a Royal highness and became the Duke of Edinburgh. The city is represented by a three-towered castle.

Buried in his Naval finery 

Philip is expected to be buried in his ceremonial naval uniform. 

Traditionally, this includes a ceremonial day coat with aiguillettes – long strands of weaved gilt thread – worn on the right shoulder, the Royal Cypher and Sleeve Lace Distinction Marks of Rank consisting of rows of gold lace with a circle (or ‘curl’); gold-laced trousers; white, long-sleeved shirt; black socks; black shoes; white glovesHis coffin will be draped with his personal standard, and decorated with a wreath of flowers and his naval cap and sword.

‘Just stick me in the back of a Land Rover and drive me to Windsor’: Prince Philip is granted wish to be taken to funeral in ‘specially modified’ vehicle as nations prepares for a Royal goodbye like no other 

Ian Gallagher Chief Reporter for the Mail on Sunday 

In typically insouciant fashion, Prince Philip often remarked to the Queen when discussing his funeral: ‘Just stick me in the back of a Land Rover and drive me to Windsor.’ Now it transpires that his wish will come true.

Buckingham Palace yesterday announced that a ‘specially modified’ Land Rover, which the Duke himself helped design, will carry his coffin on its final journey on Saturday.

In a Royal funeral like no other, the eight-minute procession will begin at the state entrance of Windsor Castle, ending at nearby St George’s Chapel. 

Once there – at 3pm – there will be a national minute’s silence heralding the start of a no-frills service attended by just 30 members of the Royal Family.

The Duke had always insisted that he wanted minimal fuss but he was, nevertheless, a traditionalist and some may find his choice of hearse surprising. 

Aides are confident, however, that his playful final act will find favour with a nation that has long celebrated his occasional irreverence.

In 1948, King George VI, the Queen’s father, was presented with the 100th vehicle off the first Land Rover production line and the Royal Family has had a love affair with them ever since. 

Such has been the Duke’s close association that Jeremy Clarkson once dubbed the Land Rover ‘an automotive Prince Philip’. 

Two years ago, the Prince had a remarkable escape after his Land Rover collided with another car near Sandringham House.

Buckingham Palace confirmed yesterday that Philip will have a Royal ceremonial funeral similar to that of the Queen Mother in 2002. A period of national mourning, which began on Friday, will continue until Saturday.

The funeral plans were approved by the Queen who, along with the rest of her family will wear a face mask at the service. The congregation will observe social-distancing rules for the service, which will be televised live.

The Land Rover bearing the Duke’s coffin – draped in his personal standard, a wreath of flowers and his naval cap and sword – will be followed by the Prince of Wales and other senior Royals on foot.

The Queen has decided that the Royal Family will enter two weeks of mourning and mourning bands will be worn by its members. The entire funeral will take place within the grounds of Windsor Castle. 

Public elements of Operation Forth Bridge – the codename for the Duke’s funeral plans – were abandoned for fear of drawing crowds, including long-held arrangements for military processions through London and Windsor.

A Palace spokesman said: ‘This event will be much reduced in scale with no public access. In line with Government guidelines and public health measures, there will be no public processions and the Duke’s funeral will take place entirely within the grounds of Windsor Castle. 

‘The plans have been given final approval by the Queen and reflect appropriately Government advice. Despite these necessary changes, they still very much reflect the personal wishes of the Duke. 

‘Although the ceremonial arrangements are reduced, the occasion will still celebrate and recognise the Duke’s life and his more than 70 years of service to the Queen, the UK and the Commonwealth.’

On Saturday, the Duke’s coffin, accompanied by the Dean of Windsor and the Lord Chamberlain, will be moved from the Queen’s private chapel of worship to the State Entrance of Windsor Castle by a Bearer Party of The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. 

On the grass in the Castle’s Quadrangle will be representative detachments drawn from Philip’s military special relationships, including 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, followed by the Major General’s Party, and then the Service Chiefs, reflecting His Royal Highness’s close relationship with the military. 

Minute guns will be fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn of Windsor Castle for the duration of the procession, and the Curfew Tower Bell will toll.

The Duke, who died peacefully last Friday, is believed to have requested his favourite seafarers’ hymn, For Those In Peril On The Sea. At the end of the service a Psalm and the ‘ashes to ashes’ text will be read as a piper plays a lament. The coffin will lie in the Royal Vault until the Queen dies. 

She wishes to be buried beside him, her parents – King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother – and sister, Princess Margaret, in the tiny adjacent George VI Memorial Chapel. On her death, Philip’s coffin will be interred alongside her there.

St George’s Chapel is the resting place of ten monarchs. Steeped in history, the 15th Century gothic church, set in the Lower Ward of the Queen’s favourite residence, has seen many Royal funerals and weddings. 

They include the marriage of the Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, in May 2018 and the wedding of Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank in October 2018.

As well as the scene of Royal celebrations, it has also been a place of sadness for the Windsors. 

The funeral of Princess Margaret took place there in 2002, as did the private committal service for the Queen Mother the same year. 

It was meant to be so much grander: How pandemic means Prince Philip’s send-off will be even more low-key with the expected guest list of 800 people reduced to 30

By Caroline Graham for the Mail on Sunday 

Prince Philip had requested a ‘no-fuss’ funeral with an aide once reportedly saying he ‘did not see himself as important enough’ to lie in state.

According to protocol, as the Queen’s consort, the Duke will still be honoured with a ceremonial Royal funeral, as the Queen Mother was given in 2002 and Princess Diana in 1997. 

But the pandemic means the send-off will be even more low-key with the expected guest list of 800 people reduced to 30 close family and friends.

The original plans were drawn up years ago under the code name Operation Forth Bridge. 

His coffin should have been transported from St George’s Chapel in Windsor to the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace in London. There, the Royal Family and Household would have been able to pay their respects.

A book of condolence would also have been opened at Buckingham Palace and other Royal locations. 

The day before the funeral, his coffin – surmounted by his Naval sword, cap, personal standard and a wreath of flowers – would have been moved from the Chapel Royal to the Queen’s Chapel within St James’s Palace. The Prince of Wales and members of the Duke of Edinburgh’s household would have been present.

At 12.15pm on the day of the funeral, eight days after the death, Prince Philip would have begun his final journey out of London. The coffin would have been moved to Wellington Arch on a gun carriage and transferred to a Royal Navy Land Rover. 

At 12.45pm, the procession would have departed the capital for Windsor by road, where it was scheduled to have driven through the Berkshire town before arrival at the castle. 

The procession would have been accompanied by the Royal Naval Pipers and the Duke of Edinburgh Rifles. Plans to have a mixed age choir of 12 men and up to 23 boys have also had to be abandoned.

The occupancy inside St George’s Chapel is 1,000 and the guest list was due to include representatives from foreign royal families, Great offices of State, Parliament, the Diplomatic Corp, the Civil and Diplomatic Service, charities the Duke was involved with and his Household staff. 

The plans took years to arrange and the Duke was understood to have been wryly amused that many of those involved ended up dying before him.

Tearful Countess of Wessex praises ‘amazing’ Queen as Princes Edward and Andrew rally round their mother at Windsor: Officials continue to remove floral tributes due to Covid

By Martin Robinson Chief Reporter for MailOnline and Rory Tingle 

A tearful Countess of Wessex today paid tribute to the ‘amazing’ Queen as the monarch began her life without Prince Philip, her ‘strength and stay’ throughout their 73-year marriage and 68-year reign.

Sophie, 56, and her husband Prince Edward, 57, left Windsor Castle with their windows down as they showed their appreciation to mourners who had gathered to lay flowers after Philip’s death yesterday aged 99. 

The scenes have been repeated at other royal residences including Buckingham Palace, where well-wishers – some dabbing their eyes – waited patiently to lay flowers – which were then removed by officials enforcing government directives to stay at home.  

The Wessexes and Prince Andrew have been supporting their mother the Queen, 94, at Windsor today as she grieves for her ‘rock’.

Sky News correspondent Rhiannon Mills spoke to Sophie as she left Windsor, and reported the royal ‘had tears in her eyes’ as she said through her car window ‘the Queen has been amazing’ when asked how Her Majesty was coping.

The bouquets, flowers, cards, Union Flags and balloons left by mourners are being moved away by staff almost as soon as they are left – but royal aides insist they will all be saved and looked at by the Royal Family inside the grounds of Windsor and Buckingham Palace. 

Buckingham Palace today announced that Philip’s ceremonial royal funeral will take place on April 17 in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and a national minute’s silence will be observed as it begins at 3pm.

The duke’s coffin will be transported from the castle to the chapel in a specially modified Land Rover he helped to design, and followed by the Prince of Wales and senior royals on foot, a senior Palace official said.

The Queen has approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation of national mourning, which began on April 9 and runs until and including the day of the funeral.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin is in Her Majesty’s private chapel of worship at their Berkshire home before being moved to the nearby Albert Memorial Chapel later today, where he will rest during seven days of national mourning ahead of his hugely scaled-back funeral next Saturday. 

The Queen’s youngest child Prince Edward was the first to arrive to support his mother again today, having made the short trip from his Surrey home. 

Prince Andrew, who lives in Windsor Castle’s grounds, was also seen arriving after 10am. Prince Charles stayed with the Queen until late last night.   

Palace security have even put up signs urging people not to congregate, but waves of mourners are still arriving to pay their respects to Her Majesty’s devoted husband, who dedicated his life to public service and supporting her.

Well-wishers, all respecting social distancing and wearing masks, laid their tributes and briefly stood to pay their respects, with some wiping away tears or quietly singing hymns before returning home.

Gun salute for Prince Philip: Artillery in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Gibraltar join Royal Navy warships in firing 41 rounds in 41 minutes to pay tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh

A gun salute rang out around the world today in honour of Prince Philip who died yesterday aged 99, with Royal Navy warships firing 41 shots over 40 minutes from midday in unison with batteries across the UK and Gibraltar after similar events in his beloved Commonwealth. 

Crowds gathered on Tower Bridge to watch members of the Honourable Artillery Company fire their cannons from the Tower of London as shots also echoed around the capital from the historic barracks seven miles away at Woolwich, finishing at 12.40pm precisely. 

HMS Diamond, a 8,000-tonne destroyer dubbed ‘the jewel in the naval crown, set sail from Portsmouth on Friday with her flag at half mast and held its gun salute in the Channel in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh, a celebrated sailor and war hero.

She is the modern successor to the destroyers Philip served on during the Second World War as part of his 14-year naval career. HMS Montrose, a Type 23 Frigate, fired her 4.5 inch main gun from Oman in the Gulf, where she is based.

On land ‘Solemn’ 41-shot salutes took place from the wharf at the Tower of London, in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh as well as from Naval bases in Portsmouth, Plymouth and the Rock of Gibraltar.  

The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired on the Parade Ground at the historic Woolwich Barracks using the same guns also fired for Philip’s wedding to the Queen in 1947 and at her Coronation six years later in 1953.

An artillery salute has already taken place at Parliament House in Adelaide this morning, with similar commemorations repeated across the Commonwealth.  

Officials told the public to observe the gun salutes, which will be broadcast online and on television, from home. 

It comes after floral tributes laid by members of the public outside palaces were quickly removed last night as the nation faced an eery seven days of eerie socially distanced mourning. 

In London, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery rode out from their base at Napier Lines, Woolwich Barracks, onto the Parade Ground.

There were 71 horses, 36 of them pulling six 13-pounder field guns dating from the First World War.

The same guns were also fired for Philip’s wedding to the Queen in 1947 and at her Coronation six years later in 1953.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: ‘His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh was a constant supporter and ambassador of the armed forces.

‘We celebrate his life of service and offer our condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family.’

Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter said: ‘His Royal Highness has been a great friend, inspiration and role model for the armed forces and he will be sorely missed.

‘The Duke of Edinburgh served among us during the Second World War, and he remained devoted to the Royal Navy and the armed forces as a whole.

‘A life well lived, His Royal Highness leaves us with a legacy of indomitable spirit, steadfastness and an unshakeable sense of duty. From all of us who serve today and who have served, thank you.’

The Honourable Artillery Company fired a salute at the Tower of London, the 104th Regiment Royal Artillery will fire from Cardiff Castle, and the 105th Regiment Royal Artillery will fire at Hillsborough Castle, Belfast and Edinburgh Castle. 

It comes as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the most senior officer in the Royal Navy, added to the tributes to Philip.

In a statement released on Saturday morning, he said: ‘His genuine empathy, affection and engagement with the Royal Navy resonated with us all.

‘His generous spirit, his delight in all aspects of the Naval Service, and his deep understanding of our values, standards and ethos made him such a close friend to the Service for over eight decades.’

Philip joined the Royal Navy after leaving school, beginning at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in May 1939, and was singled out as best cadet.

During the Second World War, he served on several ships – firstly on HMS Ramillies – and saw active service against German, Italian and Japanese forces.

In March 1941, he was a searchlight control officer on the battleship HMS Valiant and was mentioned in despatches for his part in the battle of Matapan against the Italian fleet.

Shortly afterwards, he was awarded the Greek War Cross of Valour.

He rose rapidly through the ranks, earning promotion after promotion, with some believing he could have become First Sea Lord – the professional head of the Royal Navy.

But the Duke stepped down from his active role in the forces to fulfil his duty as the Queen’s consort.

In recognition of his long-standing connection with the Royal Navy, the Queen conferred the title of Lord High Admiral on the Duke to mark his 90th birthday in June 2011.