The Duke of Edinburgh’s final journey is under way. Prince Philip’s coffin has been moved from the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle, where it has rested since his death, to the Inner Hall ahead of the procession which will carry it to St. George’s Chapel for the funeral service this afternoon.
The coffin, covered with his persona standard, sword, naval cap and a wreath, was from the Private Chapel at 11am.
The Grenadier Guards accompanied the coffin on this first stage of its last journey. The Duke of Edinburgh was their Colonel from 1975 until 2018. The Guards will perform the role of Bearer Party along with the Royal Marines who will carry the coffin into St. George’s as the funeral gets under way.
The Private Chapel at Windsor Castle is close to The Queen’s rooms at the ancient royal residence meaning she has had plenty of time alone to mourn her husband of 73 years.
The Royal Family will join Her Majesty for the final procession to St. George’s which is due to leave the State Entrance at Windsor at 2.45pm. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s four children will walk alongside the specially designed Land Rover on which Prince Philip’s coffin will be carried. Other members of their family will follow with their eldest grandchild, Peter Phillips, leading the second part of the procession which will follow the cortege. The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex will walk on either side of him.
The Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury will lead the funeral service. Just thirty mourners will be allowed inside the Chapel owing to coronavirus restrictions. All will have to wear masks throughout the service and social distancing will be observed between different household bubbles.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh died on April 9th 2021 at Windsor Castle. He was 99 years old.
