Prince William and Prince Harry will not walk side by side during their grandfather’s funeral, Prince Philip confirmed the royal family on Saturday.
The brothers’ cousin, Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne, will walk among them during the funeral procession in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace.
During a second procession, William, 38, and Peter, 43, will walk shoulder-to-shoulder, followed by Harry, 36, and David Armstrong-Jones, 59, son of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Once in the chapel, they will not get very close, because the participants will be seated at six feet from each other, according to the instructions of COVID-19.
The order of the procession was “a practical change rather than sending a signal,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.
“This is a funeral and we will not be attracted to perceptions of drama. The arrangements have been agreed and represent Her Majesty’s wishes, “the spokesman said.
Only 30 close friends and family members will be allowed to enter the chapel for the Duke of Edinburgh’s royal ceremonial funeral. The public was also advised to “stay away” from the field and offer condolences online instead, reports The Independent.
Insiders say there is hope that the brothers’ common grief will help them repair their once-close bond and finally discuss their downfall.
“Both are fully aware of their common history and will no doubt remember the impact their grandfather had on their growing lives,” a royal source told The Mirror last week.
“There is hope in such an occasion, in which the brethren are united in pain, that a corner may be turned.”
It would be appropriate because Philip was “dismayed” by the fall of his grandchildren and tried to reunite them, the newspaper source said.
Philip “urged them both to rest their differences and not only remember their connection, but also to be aware of their duty to the queen and the country,” the Mirror source added.