The funeral of Second World War veteran Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband of over seven decades and Britain’s longest-serving consort, took place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Saturday.
This article was updated live as the funeral procession and service unfolded.
UPDATE: 4:00 — Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the controversial American wife of the Duke’s grandson Prince Harry, is reported to have left a handwritten note on a wreath specially chosen for the funeral. Unlike sister-in-law Catherine, or Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, she was unable to attend the funeral in person, with doctors having advised her against travel due to her pregnancy.
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, attends the funeral of Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021. – Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died on April 9 aged 99 just weeks after a month-long stay in hospital for treatment to a heart condition and an infection. (Photo by CHRIS JACKSON / various sources / AFP) (Photo by CHRIS JACKSON/AFP via Getty Images)
UPDATE: 3:50 — The Queen was pictured sitting alone near the beginning of the service. The 94-year-old monarch remained “socially distanced” from family members throughout the proceedings, having chosen to obey much the same anti-coronavirus regulations as the rest of the country.
Queen Elizabeth II takes her seat for the funeral service of Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh inside St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021. – Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died on April 9 aged 99 just weeks after a month-long stay in hospital for treatment to a heart condition and an infection. (Photo by Jonathan Brady / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
UPDATE: 3:45 — The Pipe Major of the Royal Regiment of Scotland has played a lament for the Duke. A similar tribute was paid to him at Gordonstoun, the Scottish school he attended as a boy and with which he retained strong links throughout his life, earlier in the day:
UPDATE: 3:40 — The Commendation has been offered by the Dean of Windsor:
“Go forth upon thy journey from this world, O Christian soul,
In the name of God the Father Almighty who created thee;
In the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee;
In the name of the Holy Spirit who strengtheneth thee;
May thy portion this day be in peace,
and thy dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem. Amen.”
UPDATE: 3:35 — The Dean of Windsor, as Register of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, has offered prayers for the Duke — “who has left us a fair pattern of valiant and true knighthood” — as well as for Her Majesty the Queen and all Companions of the Order “living and departed”:
“O Lord, who didst give to thy servant Saint George grace to lay aside the fear of man, and to be faithful even unto death: Grant that we, unmindful of worldly honour, may fight the wrong, uphold thy rule, and serve thee to our lives’ end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God save our gracious Sovereign and all the Companions, living and departed, of the Most Honourable and Noble Order of The Garter. Amen.
O God of the spirits of all flesh, we praise thy holy name for thy servant Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who has left us a fair pattern of valiant and true knighthood; grant unto him the assurance of thine ancient promise that thou wilt ever be with those who go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters. And we beseech thee that, following his good example and strengthened by his fellowship, we may at the last, together with him, be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
UPDATE: 3:30 — The Archbishop of Canterbury is offering prayers for the Duke and “all the faithful departed”:
“O eternal God, before whose face the generations rise and pass away, thyself unchanged, abiding, we bless thy holy name for all who have completed their earthly course in thy faith and following, and are now at rest; we remember before thee this day Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, rendering thanks unto thee for his resolute faith and loyalty, for his high sense of duty and integrity, for his life of service to the Nation and Commonwealth, and for the courage and inspiration of his leadership. To him, with all the faithful departed, grant thy peace; Let light perpetual shine upon them; and in thy loving wisdom and almighty power work in them the good purpose of thy perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
UPDATE: 3:20 — The Archbishop of Canterbury has performed a reading of John 11. 21-27 for the service, planned in large part by the late Duke:
“Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.'”
UPDATE: 3:15 — “We are here today in St George’s Chapel to commit into the hands of God the soul of his servant Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” says the Dean of Windsor.
“With grateful hearts, we remember 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. Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humour and humanity. We therefore pray that God will give us grace to follow his example, and that, with our brother Philip, at the last, we shall know the joys of life eternal.”
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with His Royal Highness’s Personal Standard arrives at St George’s Chapel carried by a bearer party found by the Royal Marines during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
UPDATE: 3:05 — The nation observed a minute’s silence in memory of the Duke at 3 o’clock as his coffin arrived at St George’s Chapel.
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with His Royal Highness’s Personal Standard arrives at St George’s Chapel carried by a bearer party found by the Royal Marines during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with His Royal Highness’s Personal Standard arrives at St George’s Chapel carried by a bearer party found by the Royal Marines during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with His Royal Highness’s Personal Standard arrives at St George’s Chapel carried by a bearer party found by the Royal Marines during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by Justin Tallis/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
UPDATE: 2:55 — The special Land Rover bearing the Duke’s coffin was followed on foot by loved ones, including son Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, and grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry — separated by their cousin Peter Phillips, the eldest grandchild of the Duke and his widow the Queen.
Britain’s Prince Charles, Prince of Wales walks behind the coffin of Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during a ceremonial funeral procession to St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021. – Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died on April 9 aged 99 just weeks after a month-long stay in hospital for treatment to a heart condition and an infection. (Photo by HANNAH MCKAY / POOL / AFP) (Photo by HANNAH MCKAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Earl of Snowdon David Armstrong-Jones and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence follow Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin during the Ceremonial Procession during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by Alastair Grant/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by Alastair Grant/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
UPDATE: 2:50 — The Duke’s coffin is proceeding to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, having been loaded onto the special Land Rover “hearse” which he helped to design for the funeral.
WINDSOR, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Earl of Snowdon David Armstrong-Jones and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence follow The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with His Royal Highness’s Personal Standard during the Ceremonial Procession during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by Leon Neal/WPA Pool/Getty Images )
TOPSHOT – The coffin of Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is laid onto a modified Land Rover Defender TD5 130 chassis cab vehicle in the quadrangle ahead of the ceremonial funeral procession to St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021. – Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died on April 9 aged 99 just weeks after a month-long stay in hospital for treatment to a heart condition and an infection. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
UPDATE: 2:35 — The specially modified Land Rover carrying the coffin of the Duke — which he himself helped to design — is on its way, accompanied by a rendition of the British patriotic hymn I Vow to Thee, My Country.
UPDATE: 2:30 — Members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces playing a role in the Duke’s funeral are now in place for proceedings to begin.
Members of the armed forces march into position at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021, prior to the funeral service of Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. – Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died on April 9 aged 99 just weeks after a month-long stay in hospital for treatment to a heart condition and an infection. (Photo by LEON NEAL / various sources / AFP) (Photo by LEON NEAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Members of a military band march into position at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021, prior to the funeral service of Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. – Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died on April 9 aged 99 just weeks after a month-long stay in hospital for treatment to a heart condition and an infection. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
A general view from the Engine Room is pictured at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021, prior to the funeral service of Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. – Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died on April 9 aged 99 just weeks after a month-long stay in hospital for treatment to a heart condition and an infection. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
UPDATE: 2:20 — Images of the Duke are being projected onto the big screen in London’s Piccadilly Circus as a “salute” to his decades of public service.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Images reflecting and celebrating the life of HRH Prince Philip are displayed on the large screen at Piccadilly Circus on April 17, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. The Duke of Edinburgh travelled extensively during his Royal Naval service. As Prince Consort to HM Queen Elizabeth II he visited 144 countries, he was fluent in French and German. The youth scheme he set up in 1956, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, is now held in 143 different countries. The Duke died, age 99, at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021, and his funeral is held today, also at Windsor. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Images reflecting and celebrating the life of HRH Prince Philip are displayed on the large screen at Piccadilly Circus on April 17, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. The Duke of Edinburgh travelled extensively during his Royal Naval service. As Prince Consort to HM Queen Elizabeth II he visited 144 countries, he was fluent in French and German. The youth scheme he set up in 1956, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, is now held in 143 different countries. The Duke died, age 99, at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021, and his funeral is held today, also at Windsor. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Images reflecting and celebrating the life of HRH Prince Philip are displayed on the large screen at Piccadilly Circus on April 17, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. The Duke of Edinburgh travelled extensively during his Royal Naval service. As Prince Consort to HM Queen Elizabeth II he visited 144 countries, he was fluent in French and German. The youth scheme he set up in 1956, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, is now held in 143 different countries. The Duke died, age 99, at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021, and his funeral is held today, also at Windsor. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Images reflecting and celebrating the life of HRH Prince Philip are displayed on the large screen at Piccadilly Circus on April 17, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. The Duke of Edinburgh travelled extensively during his Royal Naval service. As Prince Consort to HM Queen Elizabeth II he visited 144 countries, he was fluent in French and German. The youth scheme he set up in 1956, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, is now held in 143 different countries. The Duke died, age 99, at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021, and his funeral is held today, also at Windsor. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
UPDATE: 12:50 — The Royal Family has released a montage, set to words by the Poet Laureate, to “commemorate the extraordinary life” of the Prince:
Original article continues below…
Philip, born Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark and dubbed ‘The Uncle of Europe’ for his family ties to royal lines across the continent — perhaps most notably Russia’s ruling Romanovs, murdered by the Soviet communists in 1918 — passed away just weeks away from his 100th birthday, not long after a hospital stay that had involved a heart procedure.
The military will feature prominently in the service for the late Duke, who served in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific theatres of the Second World War with the Royal Navy, being mentioned in despatches for his actions during the Battle of Cape Matapan and surviving the bombing of his ship not long afterwards.
Attendance will be limited as a result of England’s anti-coronavirus lockdown regulations, however, with the 94-year-old monarch expected to sit alone, masked, throughout the Christian service.
It is possible that the planned guest list being cut from 800 to just 30 would not have overly troubled the famously unfussy Duke, who will be taken to his funeral not in a flashy carriage but in a modified Land Rover that he himself helped to design.
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