With restrictions, emotional tributes and the absence of Meghan Markle: all the details of the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh
Buckingham Palace explains the different solemn acts that will take place next Saturday, April 17
The main details of the royal funeral for the Duke of Edinburgh, who died this Friday, April 9, at the age of 99, are already officially known. In addition to confirming the date, time and place where the ceremony will take place, Buckingham Palace has announced what the funeral services will be like, which will be carried out following the wishes of Elizabeth II's husband and will serve to pay him a great public tribute, remembering his 70 years of service to the Queen, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
The funeral, which will be broadcast on television throughout the country and whose signal will also have international reach, will be subject to the rules imposed by the anticovid protocol. For this reason, face-to-face assistance will be limited to those closest to the Royal Family in a maximum number of 30 people. In this sense, the British Royal House makes a clear and express appeal to the population not to attend the religious ceremony, in order to safeguard the health of all in the current pandemic situation.
What day is the funeral held?
The funeral of Felipe de Edimburgo will be next Saturday, April 17, eight days after his death. The death was reported by the queen "with deep sorrow" at "the death of my beloved husband" (...) who died peacefully this morning, "the note read. In addition," The Royal Family joins the people of everyone in mourning his loss, "could be read in the text accompanied by a black and white image of the Duke.
What time will the ceremony take place?
It will be at three in the afternoon (4:00 p.m., Spanish peninsular time). Before that, at 2:45 p.m., Prince Charles of England and other members of the British Royal Family will walk behind the coffin along a route flanked by men and women in the service of the country's Armed Forces. The coffin will remain in a private chapel of the castle until that day.
Where will the royal funeral take place?
It will be done in the Chapel of St. George in Windsor Castle, the same fortress where Elizabeth II's husband died. The father of princes Carlos, Ana, Andrés and Eduardo, who was going to turn 100 on June 10, has spent the last stage of his life in this residence located west of London. Coinciding with the start of the pandemic, the sovereign and he settled in this emblematic property of the crown without which it is impossible to understand the history of British royalty.
How many people will be able to attend in person?
The event will be attended by only thirty people: those closest to Felipe de Edimburgo, as required by the current restrictions due to Covid-19. At the moment, the names of that definitive list of attendees have not been provided, although the presence of Queen Elizabeth II, that of her children and that of some of her grandchildren is more than assured. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already announced that he will not attend "to accommodate as many family members as possible," a Downing Street spokesman confirmed.
Will Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attend?
The spokesman for the British Royal Household has confirmed that Prince Harry intends to return to the United Kingdom from the United States to meet with the Queen and her family, although his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, will not travel on medical prescription. pregnant with her second child.
Who will participate in the funeral procession?
In accordance with the last will of Prince Philip, the coffin will be driven from the main entrance of the castle to the steps of the chapel in a Land Rover vehicle that he helped design - he participated in the manufacture of two of these cars some years ago -. Thus, while one will be used in the funeral procession, the second will be available as support. The coffin, wrapped in the Duke's personal banner, will be covered with flowers, his naval cap and his sword. Family members will walk behind the coffin, alongside Royal Household staff, from the inner courtyard, down Chapel Hill to the cloister. The entourage will be flanked by various members of the army.
What will the religious ceremony be like?
At West Steps, a group of members of the Royal Navy carry the coffin up to the chapel, while a band of Royal Naval bagpipes plays. The funeral, which will be officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Dean of Windsor, David Conner, will begin after a minute of national silence. Already inside the chapel, in which only the 30 people closest to the Duke will be present, the different insignia of Philip of Edinburgh will be exhibited, along with his field marshal's staff and the wings of the Royal Air Force. At the end of the ceremony, the coffin will be buried in the Royal Vault which is located under the chapel. The events will take place entirely within the castle boundaries and the public is urged not to travel to Windsor or other royal residences to pay their respects, but to watch the ceremony on television.
Buckingham Palace acknowledges its "sadness that people cannot witness the event in honor of the Duke on site", but "anyone wishing to express their condolences is asked to do so in the safest way" in these times of pandemic that plague the planet. . Furthermore, "His Royal Highness's funeral will be broadcast so that as many people as possible can see it, mourn with us and celebrate a truly extraordinary life." Finally, in addition to the eight days of national mourning announced by the Government from the day of the Duke's death, the Queen has approved a period of two weeks of royal mourning for the members of her family during which they will wear black or uniform with bands, as well as carry out only the orders that are considered appropriate according to the circumstances.
