On Saturday, the royal family gathered at Windsor Castle for the funeral of Prince Philip, who died on April 9 at the age of 99.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was a more undervalued business than usual, with only 30 mourners present and a small military procession.
But according to royal historian Marlene Koenig, the late Duke of Edinburgh would have approved.
“It was what she wanted, even though it was reduced,” she told Page Six. “He wanted to have his own personality, he even designed the truck of a Land Rover that almost looked like a luxury truck.”
Koenig pointed to the presence of Prince Philip’s beloved stroller and ponies as another “wonderful touch” that reflected his life and interests.
What about the lack of praise? The choice was made “for the simple reason that he didn’t really want to focus on it,” Koenig said. “There are so many accomplishments, but I think he was content to leave them to obituary writers and let the ceremony reflect his Christian faith and the simplicity of his own life.”
At the funeral guests brought their own special symbolism to the procedure – especially Kate Middleton, who wore a Japanese choker with four strands of pearls from the Queen’s collection, along with pearl earrings Her Majesty received as a wedding gift when she married Prince Philip in 1947.
“It looked very elegant and sent a very subtle symbol that this necklace and these earrings were a part of Philip’s life with the queen,” said the royal historian.
A significant gesture that Koenig said collapsed, however, comes from the wreath Meghan Markle sent to the ceremony, along with a handwritten card.
The Duchess of Sussex, who is expecting a baby girl, stayed home in part because she “did not want to be the center of attention” on the grim occasion, according to reports.
Instead, she sent a wreath of locally sourced and highly symbolic flowers – including flowers representing the Greek heritage of Prince Philip, the month of her birth and more – which were highlighted in a press release, a move that Keonig called it “unusual.”
“The royal family doesn’t usually say, ‘Well, that [wreath’s] from Charles, this one from Andrew, this one from Beatrice “, she told us. “I think it was a little more about drawing attention to them than saying nothing at all … The initial statement that her doctor advised her not to go, I think, was the best way to go.”
Koenig added that “the only crown of interest was the one placed on the coffin of Queen Elizabeth; hidden inside was a personal note from her. ”
There was also a lot of talk about the estranged brothers, Prince William and Prince Harry, seemingly kind after the funeral. Lip readers even tried to decipher exactly what the future king and his younger brother were talking about. However, Koenig believes this is just the beginning of a potential reconciliation for the couple.
“I think it will take much more than a walk up the hill to the private apartments at Windsor Castle for William and Harry to sit down and discuss all the issues and alleged issues,” she explained, adding that she felt Harry should consider staying on Wednesday for 95 years from his grandmother to spend more time with family.
“They have to talk to each other,” she said.
