Prince Philip news – live: Funeral guests unveiled with William and Harry to walk apart and Queen to sit alone
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The guest list for Prince Philip’s funeral has been unveiled, with only close relatives to attend the royal ceremonial service in Windsor on Saturday.
It comprises his and the Queen’s four children, as well as some but not all of their many grandchildren. Other members of the royal family, such as the Queen’s cousin Princess Alexandra, will also be in attendance. It was revealed last week that the service would not be a state affair due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Another revelation made earlier is that Prince William and Harry, the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex respectively, will not walk shoulder to shoulder in their grandfather’s funeral procession, following speculation they could do so.
The brothers, who have been reunited in person for the first time following the explosive Oprah interview last month, will walk separately, either side of their cousin Peter Phillips - Princess Anne’s son - as they trail their grandfather’s coffin at St George’s chapel in Windsor.
It was also confirmed on Thursday that the Queen will be forced to sit alone during the service to avoid coming into contact with anyone she does not live with. It is so the monarch can adhere to social distancing guidelines as much as possible during the day.
Meanwhile, Prince Charles earlier made his first public appearance with Camilla since the death of his father to view flowers and tributes left in his memory. The pair are believed to have looked visibly upset by the messages left for the late duke.
Read more:
What route will Prince Philip’s funeral procession take?
Until the funeral takes place, Prince Philip will lie at rest in the private chapel at Windsor Castle, where he died last Friday. His coffin has been draped with his personal flag and a wreath of flowers has been placed on top.
On Saturday, the ceremony will begin at 2.40pm when the coffin will be carried out onto the Quadrangle and placed onto a modified Land Rover, which the duke himself helped design.
The procession will be led by the band of Grenadier Guards. The Land Rover will be flanked by pallbearers from the Royal Marines and other regiments and corps Prince Philip is associated with.
Members of the royal family will walk behind the coffin, except the Queen, who will travel separately to the chapel for the funeral service.
The procession will travel from the Quadrangle to Chapel Hill and down to Horseshoe Cloister, ending at the West Steps of St George’s Chapel.
View our map below to see the full route:
In pictures: Rehearsals ongoing as troops prepare for funeral
Various military troops are rehearsing for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, which falls on Saturday.
Catch a glimpse into the preparations here:
How Prince Philip and the Queen met
Boris Johnson is visiting Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, where the Queen is said to have first met the Duke of Edinburgh.
Discover the story of how it all began:
How Prince Philip and the Queen met: The story of a royal relationship
The couple got engaged 13 years after their first meeting, writes Olivia Petter
Boris Johnson visits Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth to commemorate Prince Philip
Boris Johnson said his thoughts were with the Queen again after he visited Dartmouth where she is said to have first met her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, who died last week.
The prime minister told broadcasters: “I’m here at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, which is the college from which the Duke of Edinburgh himself passed out, became an officer in 1940 before going on to have that amazing distinguished Navy career - the Battle of Cape Matapan, Sicily and then seeing the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay.
“And you’ve just seen those wonderful cadets become officers themselves and incarnating the finest traditions of the Royal Navy, in the way the duke did himself.
“And actually, funnily enough, here in this very garden, I think in 1939, the Duke of Edinburgh met the then Princess Elizabeth for the very first time, so our thoughts are with her again today.”
What is the protocol if a senior member of the royal family dies?
Jade Bremner and Olivia Petter outline the plans and procedures that are activated when a senior member of the royal family dies:
What is the protocol if a senior member of the royal family dies?
Plans are in place for when members of ‘The Firm’ die
Watch: Military rehearses for Prince Philip’s funeral procession
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award part of Duke’s legacy, says actor Ross Kemp
Ross Kemp has said the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award will form part of its founder’s legacy as he called for donations to a fund aiming to help a million young people complete the scheme.
The actor is a supporter of the award, which is hoping to reach the target over the next five years with its Living Legacy Fund.
The money will help to establish new centres, train thousands more leaders and volunteers and provide targeted help to young people who need specialist support to complete their award, the DofE Award charity previously announced.
Former EastEnders star Kemp, 56, told the PA news agency: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is part of his legacy and I think it’s something he wholeheartedly supported because of his belief in young people.
“It’s open to people from all walks of life, people who are marginalised, young offenders can get on the course, people in schools, people who are members of clubs and, as I say, it gives not only value to yourself but also helps you to understand the value of being part of a community.
“Particularly coming out of lockdown you can’t underestimate that.”
Kemp said he has “witnessed first hand the difference it can make to a young person’s life” and has handed out awards to participants.
“It helps people’s self-belief, it gives people life skills, it helps them to deal with things that might be thrown at them in later life,” he said.
Queen likely to sit alone at Prince Philip’s funeral
The Queen is expected to have to sit alone at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral on Saturday, due to Covid regulations and rules on support bubbles.
Find out more here:
Queen likely to sit alone at Prince Philip’s funeral
Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral to take place on Saturday 17 April at 3pm
How do I watch Prince Philip’s funeral on TV?
As members of the public have been advised not to travel to Windsor to pay their respects at Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday, the event will be televised live by the BBC.
My colleague Ella Glover has the details on what time it starts and how you can tune in:
How to watch Prince Philip’s funeral on TV
Members of public have been advised not to travel to Windsor to pay their respects
Watch: Windsor businesses brace for influx of visitors for Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral
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