LONDON (AP) – British soldiers, sailors and air force personnel were making final preparations for Prince Philip’s funeral on Friday, a martial but personal service that will mark the passing of a royal patriarch who was also one of the veterans World War II.
More than 700 soldiers are ready to attend Saturday’s funeral at Windsor Castle, including army troops, Royal Marine clarinets and an honorary guard drawn from all armed forces.
But coronavirus restrictions mean that instead of the 800 mourners included in burial plans before Philip’s death last week, there will be only 30 in St. George’s Chapel, including the widowed Queen Elizabeth II and her four children. .
Philip, who died on April 9 at the age of 99, was closely involved in planning his funeral, an event that will reflect his Royal Navy service and his lifelong military ties – and his love for the rugged Land Rover. Defender. Philip drove several versions of the all-wheel drive vehicle for decades until he was forced to give up his license at age 97 after an accident. His body will be transported to the chapel on a modified Land Rover that he designed himself, painted in military green and with his back open to carry a coffin.
He and the queen’s children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – will go behind the cart. So will Prince William and Prince Harry’s grandchildren, though not side by side. The brothers, whose relationship was strained by Harry’s decision to relinquish his royal duties and move to California, will accompany their cousin Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne.
The moment is likely to evoke memories of the image of William and Harry at 15 and 12, walking behind the coffin of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997, accompanied by their grandfather Philip.
Armed forces will sing hymns and classical music before the funeral service. Inside the chapel, Royal Marine clarinets will sound “Stations of Action”, an alarm that warns sailors to prepare for battle. Philip spent nearly 14 years in the Royal Navy and saw action in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Pacific during World War II.
General Nick Carter, head of the British Armed Forces, said the ceremony would “reflect military precision and, above all, I think it will be a celebration of a well-lived life.”
“It will also show, I think, how much they loved and respected the armed forces,” Carter told the BBC. “The military always has a great respect for people who have their values and standards and who have really shown great courage and I think that when we look at his history of war, that feeling of courage and what he did it is something we have a great admiration for ”.
Along with Philip’s children and grandchildren, the 30 funeral guests include other superior gifts and several of them are German relatives. Philip was born a prince of Greece and Denmark and, like the queen, is related to a host of European royal families.
The mourners were instructed to wear masks and observe the social distance inside the chapel and not to join when a choir of four sang hymns. The queen, who spent much of last year isolating herself with her husband at Windsor Castle, will be alone.
Interrupting the custom, members of the royal family who have served in the armed forces or have ceremonial military functions will wear civilian clothes at the funeral.
The decision, signed by the queen, means that Harry will not risk being the only member of the royal family who does not have a uniform. Harry lost his honorary military titles after resigning from his royal frontline duties last year. As a result, the protocol suggested that Harry, an army veteran who had completed two shifts in Afghanistan, would only wear a suit with medals at the royal functions.
The decision also avoids another possible controversy after reports say Prince Andrew, the queen’s second son, considered wearing the admiral’s uniform at his father’s funeral. Andrew retains his military titles, even though he was fired from his royal duties because of the scandal surrounding his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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For full AP coverage of Prince Philip’s death, go to https://apnews.com/hub/prince-philip