ELIZABETH II AND THE UK BID FAREWELL TO PRINCE PHILIP

 

The funeral of Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, is celebrated this Saturday, April 17, 2021

ELIZABETH II AND THE UK BID FAREWELL TO PRINCE PHILIP

 

The funeral of Prince Philip, husband of the Queen of England Elizabeth II, who died Friday, April 9 at the age of 99, took place in Windsor this Saturday in a select committee due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The funeral of Prince Philip, who died on April 9, was celebrated this Saturday at Windsor Castle in London. Patriarch of the royal family, a man renowned for his strong character and his outspokenness, but also for his dedication to the queen and to the country, the husband of Elizabeth II would have been 100 years old on June 10. Due to the health crisis, his funeral was held in a small committee, with only 30 people able to attend. The Silence was observed for a minute by The United Kingdom At 3 p.m. (2 p.m. GMT). 

30 MASKED GUESTS

Most of the people authorized to attend the funeral alongside Elizabeth II belong to the royal family. Prince Charles, the oldest son of the Queen and Prince Philip, heir to the throne and aged 72 had his second wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall by his side. Prince William, the eldest son of Prince Charles, the Duke of Cambridge, second in line of succession to the crown, was accompanied by his wife Kate. Their three children were deemed too young to attend.

Prince Harry, back in the UK for the first time since his withdrawal from the monarchy a year ago was also present, without his wife Meghan Markle. The latter, pregnant with their second child remained in the United States where the couple now lives, her doctors have advised her not to travel.

The Queen's three other children - Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward - were accompanied by their respective spouses and children.

Several members of the German branch of Philip's family were also invited, including Bernhard, Crown Prince of Baden and grandson of his sister Theodora, as well as Donatus, head of the House of Hesse.

Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten and one of Philip's closest friends, as well as Archie Miller Bakewell, who remained very close to the deceased after having been his private secretary was also invited.

MEANINGFUL PROTOCOL

Buckingham unveiled the ceremony on Thursday. Given the health context, Queen Elizabeth II was masked, like all the guests. As Prince Philip himself had helped conceive for 16 years, his sword, his Navy cap, and a wreath of flowers, the coffin was lifted to be placed in the back of a military green Land Rover, Covered with the Duke of Edinburgh’s personal standard. Led by Charles, the Crown Prince, and his sister Princess Royal Anne, the procession followed the coffin to Saint George's Chapel for religious service.

Prince Charles and Lady Di's two sons Harry and William, whose relations are notoriously strained, walked on the same line to follow the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin, but their cousin Peter Phillips took a seat between them. A decision fraught with meaning, contrasting with the images of the two brothers accompanying the remains of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. Once the procession was over, the national anthem was played. Then William, 38, second in line of succession to the throne, entered St. George's Chapel, behind the coffin, followed by his brother.

Despite the military connotation of the ceremony, the members of the royal family are in civilian clothes. A choice that avoids emphasizing the fact that Prince Harry, ex-captain, lost his honorary military titles by withdrawing from the royal family. Despite two missions in Afghanistan, he is now only allowed to wear his service medals on civilian clothes. The men of the royal family, therefore, wear "morning coats" with their medals, and the women are in "day dresses".

The ceremony was celebrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, spiritual leader of the Anglicans. A choir of four singers performs songs chosen by Philip.

Sitting alone during the ceremony and all in black dressed to the mask, Queen Elizabeth II bade farewell to her husband. The prince now rests in the vault of Saint George's Chapel, on the grounds of the royal residence.