Prince Philip funeral : Union flags raised over royal palaces as Queen continues to grieve for husband

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Prince Philip's coffin lowered into Royal Vault during final blessing

Union flags flying over the royal palaces and Number 10 have been raised from half mast to mark the end of the period of national mourning for Prince Philip.

Video footage showed the flags outside Buckingham Palace and the prime minister’s official residence being raised on Sunday morning, while other official buildings across the country followed suit.

While the period of national mourning has ended, the Queen will continue to grieve her husband and the royal family will mark a further week of official mourning.

The nation fell silent in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon, as the funeral ceremony marking his life of duty took place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

The duke’s “unwavering loyalty” to the monarch was highlighted at the service, as the Queen bid a final farewell to her beloved husband – her “strength and stay” through 73 years of marriage.

The funeral reunited Prince William and Prince Harry after their much-publicised fall-out. Although they sat opposite each other inside the chapel, the brothers were seen talking together as they left the ceremony.

• Prince Philip’s secret return visit to the island of his birth
• The meaning behind the music performed at the service
• Meghan Markle handwrote a message to Prince Philip ahead of funeral
• Kate Middleton’s pearl necklace is a touching tribute to Prince Philip
• Duke’s coffin filmed being lowered into royal vault by electric motor

Key Points

• Union flags raised over royal palaces as Queen continues to grieve
• Asked not to attend Windsor, some just couldn’t stay away
• 13 key moments from Prince Philip’s funeral
• Philip’s coffin filmed being lowered into royal vault by electric motor
• Queen could take ‘step back’ from duties after Philip’s death, says royal historian
• Harry, William and Kate seen speaking after funeral
• Topless protester taken away by police outside funeral

[18 April 2021 00:40 · Andy Gregory]

Streets of Windsor fall silent as nation bids final farewell to Prince Philip in a royal funeral like no other

My colleague Chiara Giordano has the following report from Windsor, in which she notes that the crowds gathered in the town slowly dispersed while “sharing in the collective knowledge that they will likely never witness a royal funeral of this kind ever again”.

[18 April 2021 01:45 · Andy Gregory]

Bristol City Hall illuminated purple tonight in tribute to Prince Philip

[18 April 2021 02:40 · Andy Gregory]

Treasury ‘looking at creating £5 coin to fund permanent memorial’, report claims

The Telegraph reports that the Treasury is looking at minting a special £5 “crown” coin to fund a permanent memorial to Prince Philip.

While the government has not commented on the report, the cash raised could supposedly be used to pay for a statue of the late duke, or go towards a new Royal Yacht Britannia in his memory.

[18 April 2021 03:42 · Andy Gregory]

Sean O’Grady: The Queen’s solitude at Prince Philip’s funeral was a gesture of solidarity

With much of the focus today on the Queen’s decision to sit alone at the funeral, our associate editor Sean O’Grady writes for Independent Voices that the monarch’s solitude “was almost a gesture of solidarity”.

He writes: “She did not bend the rules just because she is the sovereign. Again, a small example to those in public life who sometimes forget that we are all supposed to be in this pandemic together.”

 

[18 April 2021 04:47 · Andy Gregory]

End of official mourning period will not mark end of royal grief

Although the period of national mourning since his death on 9 April has now ended, the royal family will undoubtedly continue to grieve.

During the week of mourning, union flags were flown at half-mast on royal residences, government buildings, armed forces establishments and at UK posts overseas.

[18 April 2021 05:40 · Andy Gregory]

Royal family say final farewell as duke laid to rest

Here’s a look back at yesterday’s funeral service, from my colleague Vincent Wood:

[18 April 2021 06:50 · Andy Gregory]

Here’s the image of Boris Johnson observing yesterday’s silence for Prince Philip, as published on his official Twitter account.

Only 30 royal family members, and staff, were permitted to attend the service in light of coronavirus restrictions.

[18 April 2021 08:08 · Chiara Giordano]

Royal family continues to grieve as national mourning ends

The royal family will continue to grieve this week following the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral yesterday, although the period of national mourning has now ended.

After almost 70 years as head of state, the Queen will reign without her husband by her side, as she sat on her own during the funeral service that bore Philip's touch and celebrated his life and legacy.

Family plans for Sunday have not been made public and it is not known how long Harry intends to stay in the UK before heading back to his pregnant wife in the US.

The Queen is said to have likely sort comfort in walking her beloved dogs Muick and Fergus at Frogmore, where Harry has been staying, after the funeral - which she has been doing most days since the duke’s death on 9 April, according to The Sun.

[18 April 2021 08:33 · Chiara Giordano]

Union flags raised over royal palaces as Queen continues to grieve

Union flags across the UK have been raised from half mast to mark the end of the period of national mourning for Prince Philip.

Video footage aired by BBC News shows the flags outside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street being raised, while other official buildings across the country have also followed suit this morning.

While the period of national mourning has ended, the Queen continues to grieve her husband of 73 years, as will the rest of the royal family.

The union flag is raised outside Buckingham Palace the morning after Prince Philip’s funeral (BBC News/screen grab)

The union flags outside the prime minister’s official resident at 10 Downing Street have been raised to full mast following Prince Philip’s funeral (BBC News/screen grab)

[18 April 2021 09:01 · Chiara Giordano]

Union flags raised over royal palaces as official mourning ends

Union flags flying over the royal palaces have been raised following the funeral of Prince Philip.

It means the Queen is officially back to work as she continues to grieve her husband of 73 years.

My colleague Ellie Abraham has more details: