The timing of Philip’s death, with Covid-19 restrictions still in place in the UK, means that the nation’s public expressions of grief will be limited.
The royal household and the British government have urged the public not to collect or lay flowers outside royal residences, as has happened in the past. Huge bouquet benches were left by benefactors outside Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle and elsewhere after the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
“Although this is an extraordinarily difficult time for many, we urge the public not to gather at royal residences and to follow public health advice, especially on avoiding large group meetings and minimizing travel.” said a spokesman for the Cabinet of Ministers in a statement.
Funeral arrangements for Philip are expected to be confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Saturday, according to a royal source. CNN understands that the royal burial plans have been in place for many years, but the ceremonial elements had to be changed due to Covid-19 restrictions in the UK.
The College of Arms, which oversees many ceremonial aspects of the royal family’s work, said in a statement Friday that the funeral will take place at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, “in accordance with the customs and wishes of His Royal Highness.”
The statement said the ceremony would not be a state funeral and would not be preceded by a lie in the state, which could have seen thousands of members of the public lining up to see their coffin.
“Funeral arrangements have been revised in light of the prevailing circumstances arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and it is regretted that members of the public are requested not to attempt to attend or attend any of the events that make up the funeral,” the statement added.
More than 200,000 people passed by the coffin of the Queen Mother – who preceded Philip as royal consort – while in the state in April 2002, and many thousands lined the streets to pay their respects as they passed her funeral procession.
Such a mass expression of pain is inconceivable in a time of pandemic. However, the signs of a mourning nation will still be evident. The English Premier League players will wear black banners and “there will be a minute of silence before the launch of all Premier League matches … on the weekend”, the organization announced.
The bells at Westminster Abbey in London, where Prince Philip married Queen Elizabeth more than 70 years ago, rang in his honor on Friday night.
The salute to weapons will be launched on Saturday from local time to noon, the British Ministry of Defense wrote in a statement. “In the UK, in Gibraltar and on HM Ships at Sea, the salutary batteries will trigger 41 rounds per round every minute for 40 minutes,” he wrote.
Philip’s death happens to many people across the country and the world mourn the loss of loved ones during the Covid pandemic.
Tributes to a service life
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said Prince Philip would be “very missed” in a statement following the news of Harry’s grandfather’s death.
Paying tribute in a televised statement, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the duke “earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world” and lived by an ethic of service.
“Like the expert chariot driver, he helped lead the royal family and the monarchy, so that it remains the undisputed vital institution for the balance of our national road. He was an environmentalist and a natural world champion long before he became fashionable, “said Johnson.” With his Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, he has shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people. “
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair said “the whole nation will be united in sadness at the passing of Prince Philip”, adding that it should be recognized “as a remarkable and firm support for the queen over so many years”, but also ” celebrated in his own right as a man of foresight, determination and courage. “
Tributes to the duke also flooded around the world, including the Commonwealth nations of India, Australia and Canada. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had a “distinguished career in the military and is at the forefront of many community service initiatives. May his soul rest in peace.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Philip “embodied a generation we will never see again.” Canadian Justin Trudeau said: “Prince Philip was a man of great purpose and conviction, who was motivated by a sense of duty to others. He will be fondly remembered as a constant in our queen’s life. “
US President Joe Biden said Philip had “happily dedicated himself to the people of the UK, the Commonwealth and his family” and that his legacy will live “not only through his family, but in all his charitable endeavors format. “
“Constant power and guidance”
Philip married Princess Elizabeth in 1947 after a distinguished service in the Royal Navy during World War II. Together, they had four children – Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward – eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
When Elizabeth ascended the throne in February 1952, on the death of her father, George VI, she began Philip’s service life as a royal consort.
Over the decades, Philip has often accompanied the queen on royal engagements and led thousands of her own solo appearances. He once referred to “the most experienced plate revealer in the world”, while the queen praised him as “his constant strength and guide”.
Philip continued to make public appearances until the 1990s, retiring only in August 2017.
He has been seen in public only rarely since then, especially at the wedding of Windsor Castle of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018 and at the weddings for Princess Eugenie in October 2018 and for Princess Beatrice in July 2020.
CNN’s Max Foster, Lauren Moorhouse and David Wilkinson contributed to this report.