Prince Philip dead: What happens next including Queen’s eight days of mourning
Prince Philip dead: What happens next including Queen’s eight days of mourning
Prince Philip’s death means the royal family enter a period of mourning and preparations have already been made for his funeral
The Queen will begin eight days of mourning following the death of her “beloved” husband Prince Philip.
The 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle on Friday morning.
During this time, laws will not be given the Royal Assent and affairs of state will be put on pause in a sign of respect.
The period of Royal Mourning will then continue for a further 30 days, after which the Queen will make a full return to public life and duties.
Even thought Philip is entitled to a full-blown state funeral, the Duke expressed a preference for something far more simple before his death.
He has been closely involved with the arrangements, which are being co-ordinated by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office at Buckingham Palace.
A statement from the College of Arms this afternoon read: “The funeral will not be a State Funeral and will not be preceded by a Lying-in-State. His Royal Highness’s body will lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George’s Chapel. This is in line with custom and with His Royal Highness’s wishes.
“The funeral arrangements have been revised in view of the prevailing circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and it is regretfully requested that members of the public do not attempt to attend or participate in any of the events that make up the funeral.”
Rather than lying in state at Westminster Abbey, it’s thought the Duke’s body will lie at St James’s Palace instead, where Princess Diana lay for several days before her funeral in 1997.
The public will not be allowed to view the body.
As for the funeral itself, it’s believed the guest list will be comparatively paired back with only family, friends and heads of state from Commonwealth countries attending a service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, in the style of a military funeral.
However adjustments to the original plans will have to be made due to the Covid pandemic.
While many of Britain’s monarchs and consorts are buried in Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel, Prince Philip’s burial will be at a different, more private location.
In keeping with his more low-key funeral the Duke of Edinburgh would be buried in Frogmore Gardens, in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Announcing the sad news, a statement from Buckingham Palace said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
