London, 18 Apr (PTI) The official mourning period in Britain ends on Sunday, a day after the royal ceremonial funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, which brought together senior royal members in a procession to St George’s Chapel in the castle Windsor, where the longest consort of a British monarch was laid to rest.
The controversial dispute between Princes William and Harry, described by the latter as a “space” in last month’s controversial interview with American television host Oprah Winfrey, seemed to ease as the brothers were seen talking as they left the chapel after the funeral. to their grandfather.
Kate Middleton, who was previously described by Prince William’s husband as a “peacemaker”, was spotted on camera as instrumental in the maneuver as the trio walked back up Chapel Hill to the castle.
“It was a family occasion that recognized His Royal Highness’s military associations and included some unique personal touches, in line with the Duke’s wishes,” Buckingham Palace said of Saturday’s ceremony.
Queen Elizabeth II, who has said goodbye to her 73-year-old husband, has been seen for the first time since her passing on April 9 and has reportedly carried personal belongings with her from the UK. , such as a precious photo during the gloomy ceremony.
The monarch, who turns 95 next Wednesday, was sitting alone wearing a face mask under coronavirus blocking restrictions, as was the limited number of 30 guests made up of close family and friends of Prince Philip.
At the end of the televised ceremony, during which tributes were paid to the duke’s service to the Queen, Britain and the Commonwealth, the royal family was given a few private moments outside the room to say goodbye to the 99-year-old.
His coffin was then buried in the Royal Safe under St. George’s Chapel. However, this will not be his last resting place, because when the queen dies, the coffin will be transferred to the memorial chapel of King George VI of the church, to sit next to his wife.
St. George’s Chapel is a family church for the royal family, which houses the remains of the queen’s father, King George VI, his mother the queen mother and the sister of Princess Margaret.
The coffin was driven to its destination in a custom Land Rover, designed by Prince Philip himself over several years of project modifications.
According to The Sunday Times, the duke may have been inspired by the 1979 funeral of his uncle Earl Mountbatten – the last viceroy of India, whose coffin was carried by a military Land Rover.
Nothing was left to chance on Saturday, as an identical vehicle was prepared in case of misfortune and the procession arrived at the Castle’s quadrangle to meet the Duke’s horse-drawn carriage.
His racing hat, whip, and gloves sat on his empty chair, along with the red sugar pot from which he used to reward ponies after a trip.
The soldiers in charge of the special vehicle spent rehearsals last week so that they could drive at the right speed, allowing the senior kings to follow on foot.
During the Land Rover procession to St. George’s Chapel, the Queen was supported by the waiting lady, Lady Susan Hussey, who was allowed to join the monarch of Bentley State because she was in the coronavirus bubble of the royal household.
According to detailed burial plans devised by Prince Philip, Land Rover was originally intended to transport its coffin 22 miles from Wellington Arch in central London to Windsor, but pandemic restrictions led to changes in those plans.
However, Buckingham Palace said the general ceremony remained true to the wishes of its own late royal lower-key funeral, as opposed to a grand state funeral.
Union flags on royal palaces and government buildings were raised back after the funeral and on Monday, the royal family will resume royal duties, but will continue to wear black clothing and mourning bands for a while. PTI AND MRJ MRJ