The Duke of Edinburgh’s ceremonial royal funeral will take place on Saturday 17 April at 3pm, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The service will be held in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
The arrangements have been adapted in light of the Covid pandemic, but are ‘very much’ reflective of the Duke’s wishes
According to the BBC, Prince Harry will fly over to the UK from his home in the US to join other members of the Royal Family at the ceremony.
Harper’s Bazaar Royal Editor Omid Scobie reports that a source has said Meghan – who is heavily pregnant – had made ‘every effort’ to travel but didn’t receive medical clearance from her physician.
Ahead of the service – which will be a ceremonial royal funeral, as opposed to a state funeral – there will be eight days of national mourning.
Prince Philip will not lie in state, which is where members of the public are invited to view his coffin.
A spokesperson for the Palace said: “Whilst this is a time of sadness and mourning the coming days will be an opportunity to celebrate a remarkable life.”
The Royal Family confirmed yesterday that Prince Philip had passed away at the age of 99.
It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/XOIDQqlFPn
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 9, 2021
A statement said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to the late Duke, saying: “He helped to steer the Royal Family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.”
During the course of his career as Prince Consort, Philip became known as one of the busiest members of the royal family, having completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952.
He also gave a total of 5,496 speeches and somehow found time to write 14 books.
However, he stepped back from royal engagements in 2017 when he officially retired at 96 – joking that he was ‘the world’s most experienced plaque-unveiler’.
