Meghan’s absence, mourning in isolation… highlights of Prince Philip’s funeral

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was buried on Saturday.

The 99-year-old who was married to the queen for 73 years died on April 9.

His burial ceremony held on Saturday at St. George’s Chapel within Windsor Castle.

Music & the procession

Ahead of the funeral, riders from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery made their way up the Long Walk toward Windsor Castle while military personnel and royal guards took positions in Windsor’s Quadrangle.

Military marching bands played music including ‘I Vow to Thee My Country’ and ‘Jerusalem’ after members of the royal family not in the procession departed for St. George’s Chapel.

The family members — Philip’s four children; Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward; and some of his grandchildren, including William and Harry — had walked in a sombre procession behind his coffin as it was driven to the chapel.

The Grenadier Guards, a centuries-old regiment of the army, placed Philip’s coffin on a hearse. The modified Land Rover Defender then led a small procession toward St. George’s Chapel, also on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

In the procession, members of the royal family with honorary military titles wore suits displaying their medals.

The queen arrived by car. Before the commencement of the service, which lasted for less than an hour, there was a minute of silence.

Lone sitting, public mourning

The queen, 94, who called her husband her “strength and stay,” sat alone, distant from the other attendees, who were limited to 30. She maintained social distancing in accordance with the country’s COVID-19 regulations.

Prince Harry also sat alone. It was his first public appearance with the royal family since he and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, gave a tell-all interview to media mogul Oprah Winfrey.

Hundreds assembled outside the castle despite officials asking crowds not to gather before the funeral. Mourners arrived carrying photos and paintings of Philip, and shop windows displayed depictions of the queen’s late husband.

All guests who were not members of the same household had to sit around two meters apart.

Meghan’s absence

Meghan was unable to join the family engagement as she is pregnant with her second child. It is understood that she was advised not to travel from California to the UK.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson observed the funeral from his country residence of Chequers from where he paid respects.

Tributes

As is customary, no family member delivered a eulogy, but David Conner, the Dean of Windsor, who conducted the funeral service, spoke of what he termed “the many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us”.

“We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our queen, by his service to the nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude, and faith,” he said.

“Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humor, and humanity.”