Brothers William and Harry won't be walking shoulder-to-shoulder at grandfather Prince Philip's funeral
Just 30 guests will be permitted at the 50-minute funeral, in line with government regulations.
By AFP |
AP
In this Sept. 6, 1997 file photo, from left, Britain's Prince Philip, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and Prince Charles walk outside Westminster Abbey during the funeral procession for Diana, Princess of Wales.
As young boys in 1997, the pair provided the most poignant image of their mother princess Diana's funeral as they walked, heads bowed, behind her coffin.
Prince Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied them, alongside their father Prince Charles and uncle Charles Spencer.
Their grandfather's funeral, at Windsor Castle at 3 pm (1400 GMT) Saturday, is the pair's first reunion since Harry's shock move to the United States last year.
It will be closely watched for signs of strains in the sibling relationship, with confirmation they will not walk shoulder-to-shoulder and instead be separated by cousin Peter Phillips likely to fuel speculation that a rift persists.
The brothers have reportedly fallen out over Harry's departure from the royal frontline and move to California with his wife, Meghan.
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When the coffin, to be carried on a bespoke Land Rover designed to Philip's specifications, arrives at St George's Chapel, William will move ahead of his younger brother as the royal mourners enter in pairs.
The procession elements were among the eagerly-awaited details released by the Palace ahead of the service, which has been curtailed due to coronavirus restrictions.
Sibling 'Space' Philip died last Friday at the age of 99 and Britain has this week been observing eight days of official mourning in the build-up to his burial.
Just 30 guests will be permitted at the 50-minute funeral, in line with government regulations.
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Attendees including the queen, 94, will be required to wear face masks, sit apart and observe Covid-19 social distancing rules.
She will be accompanied to the venue in the state Bentley by a lady-in-waiting, before sitting alone in the chapel.
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Heir to the throne Charles, his wife Camilla, and the monarch's three other children and eight grandchildren, as well as all their spouses, will be present.
Other guests include the children of the queen's late sister Princess Margaret, and three of Philip's German relatives -- Bernhard, the hereditary prince of Baden; Donatus, prince and landgrave of Hesse; and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.
Countess Mountbatten, Penelope "Penny" Knatchbull, who was Philip's carriage driving partner and one of his closest friends, is also invited.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson opted against attending to free up a space.
The palace confirmed royal mourners will wear civilian clothing -- men in morning coats with medals, women in day dresses -- which reports said was to avoid awkwardness over which princes are entitled to military uniform.
Harry conceded in his bombshell interview last month with US chat show host Oprah Winfrey that there was "space" in his relationship with William, 38, who is second in line to the throne.
There have long been reports of a rift since 36-year-old Harry married Meghan, also at St George's Chapel at a glitzy ceremony watched by millions in 2018.
In their sit-down with Winfrey, Meghan, who is mixed-race, sensationally claimed to have encountered racism within the monarchy, while Harry said William and their father were "trapped" within the institution.
In this April 12, 2006 file photo Britain's Prince Philip, left, talks to his grandsons, Prince William, center, and Prince Harry, right, following The Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, England. Coverage Complaints Send-offs for senior British royals are typically very public, pomp-filled affairs, but Philip's request for a no-fuss funeral paired with the pandemic has kept it minimal.
"The ceremonial aspects of the day and the funeral service itself are in line with The Duke's wishes and will reflect His Royal Highness's personal and military affiliations," the palace said.
Ahead of the service the coffin will be covered with Philip's personal standard flag and surmounted with his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers.
Members of the Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, will serve as pallbearers, while his coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault afterwards.
In honour of his life-long association with the Royal Navy, and service during World War II, buglers from the Royal Marines will sound so-called "Action Stations" during the service.
The soundings, played on a warship to signal all hands should go to battle stations, is sometimes featured at funerals of naval men.
Philip was a rising star in the British navy who had reached the rank of commander by the time Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952. He eventually shelved his personal ambitions to support his wife in the role.
A small choir of four will also sing pieces of music he chose.
The details emerged Thursday as the BBC said its coverage Friday of his death had drawn 110,000 complaints, the highest number ever published for television programming.
The broadcaster cleared its schedules across its main BBC One and BBC Two TV channels to run a series of special programmes, as well as devoting its news channel and radio stations to coverage.
"We do not make such changes without careful consideration and the decisions made reflect the role the BBC plays as the national broadcaster during moments of national significance," it said in a statement.
Prince Philip Was A painter & Fan Of Carriage Driving. Some Lesser-Known Facts About Him
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The husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip – the Duke of Edinburgh, passed away on Friday aged 99. Like his wife, Prince Philip was also born into royalty and a great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria. He spent most of his life in the spotlight after marrying into an even-more high-profile royal family.
At the side of Queen Elizabeth II for more than 73 years and renowned for his gaffes, Prince Philip was also a painter and fan of carriage driving. Here are some of the facts about him that are now forgotten.
The husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip – the Duke of Edinburgh, passed away on Friday aged 99. Like his wife, Prince Philip was also born into royalty and a great-great-grandchild..
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Philip was well-known for his love of horses and the equestrian activities of polo and carriage driving, a sport in which he competed for Britain. He is also a writer and a pilot.
However, the prince's passion for painting was more private.
Perhaps his most famous work is a 1965 image showing his wife at breakfast reading the morning papers and titled: "The Queen at Breakfast, Windsor Castle".
Philip was well-known for his love of horses and the equestrian activities of polo and carriage driving, a sport in which he competed for Britain. He is also a writer and a pilot.However, the prince'..
Read More
Britain's Prince Philip made several memorable royal visits to India in his long years of accompanying the 94-year-old monarch during her nearly 69-year reign. The UK's longest-serving royal consort joined the Queen in India in 1959, 1961, 1983 and 1997 – during which he made quite an impression with his sense of humour, which often also got him into some controversy.
During his 1961 visit to India, he was pictured with the Queen and the Maharaja and Maharani of Jaipur with a dead eight-foot tiger he had shot while on a hunt. It happened to be the same year he became president of the World Wildlife Fund UK.
He also shot a crocodile and mountain sheep on that trip but it was the photograph of the tiger that caused ripples around the world. Later in life, he went on to reinvent himself as an environmentalist and “champion of the natural world” as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson referred to him in his tribute on Friday.
Britain's Prince Philip made several memorable royal visits to India in his long years of accompanying the 94-year-old monarch during her nearly 69-year reign. The UK's longest-serving royal consort ..
Read More
Philip, born in 1921 on the Greek island of Corfu where he lived until he was 18 months old, made major sacrifices to marry Princess Elizabeth in 1947. He had to renounce his title of Prince of Greece and Denmark to take up British nationality, in return becoming Duke of Edinburgh just before his marriage, and Prince of the United Kingdom in 1957.
Philip also had to give up active duty as a naval commander after his wife was brought to the throne on the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952.
He was obliged to convert from Greek Orthodoxy to Anglicanism to marry, and reportedly stopped smoking just before the wedding to please his bride.
Philip, born in 1921 on the Greek island of Corfu where he lived until he was 18 months old, made major sacrifices to marry Princess Elizabeth in 1947. He had to renounce his title of Prince of Greec..
Read More
Philip was forced to give up his naval career when his wife became Queen Elizabeth II. Instead, he devoted himself to supporting her. He traveled the globe with her and took over management of the royal estates.
But he also found his own causes to support, including setting up a non-competitive activity program that encourages young people to recognize their abilities.
He painted, collected modern art and was interested in industrial design. But, he once said, "the arts world thinks of me as an uncultured, polo-playing clot."
Philip was forced to give up his naval career when his wife became Queen Elizabeth II. Instead, he devoted himself to supporting her. He traveled the globe with her and took over management of the ro..
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