Buckingham Palace announces plans for Prince Philip's ceremonial funeral
A ceremonial funeral for Britain's Prince Philip will take place next Saturday in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said Saturday.
The royal family hoped the coming days would be seen as a chance to celebrate the Duke of Edinburgh's "remarkable life," the spokesman said, adding that the Covid-19 pandemic "has of course required us to make significant adaptations to the original arrangements for His Royal Highness's funeral."
"While this is naturally a time of sadness and mourning for the royal family and the many others who knew or admired the Duke of Edinburgh, it is hoped that the coming days will also be seen as an opportunity to celebrate a remarkable life — remarkable both in terms of his vast contribution and lasting legacy," he added.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who is pregnant at the moment, has been advised by her doctor not to travel to the U.K. for the funeral, the spokesman said. He said Prince Harry is expected to travel from the U.S. for the funeral.
Philip's coffin will be transported from the castle to the chapel in a specially modified Land Rover he helped design and followed by Prince Charles and the senior royals on foot, the spokesman said.
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A national minute's silence will be observed as the service starts at 3 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET), they added.
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Queen Elizabeth II has approved Prime Minister Boris Johnson's recommendation of national mourning, which began April 9 and runs until and includes the day of the funeral, the spokesman said.
Only 30 people are expected to attend, including Philip's children, grandchildren and other close family members, they added.
Public elements of Operation Forth Bridge — the codename for Philip's funeral plans — which included plans for military processions through London and Windsor, a small town about 30 miles west of the capital, were abandoned for fear of drawing crowds amid the pandemic. Britain remains under partial lockdown.
Instead, the proceedings will be televised but held away from public view and with no access for royal fans.
The royal family has appealed to people who wish to pay their respects in person to stay at home instead.
