Funeral of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh: Recap

The family, including the Queen, followed COVID-19 guidelines.

Last Updated: April 17, 2021, 11:55 AM EDT

The funeral for Britain's Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was held at 3 p.m. local time, 10 a.m. ET, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, England.

The Duke of Edinburgh died on April 9 at the age of 99.

The funeral was limited to 30 guests due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Latest headlines:

Here is how the news is developing today. All times Eastern. Check back for updates.
Apr 17, 2021, 10:46 AM EDT

A socially distanced service

Before entering St. George’s Chapel, members of the royal family who walked in the procession -- including Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry -- put on face masks.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II takes her seat alone in St. George's Chapel during the funeral of Prince Philip, the man who had been by her side for 73 years, at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, April 17, 2021.
Yui Mok/Pool via AP

The only people speaking at the service were the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury. 

The Right Reverend David Conner, KCVO, Dean of Windsor, said, "We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the Nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith."

The family, including the Queen, sat spaced out per COVID-19 protocol.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II takes her seat for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99, at St George's Chapel, in Windsor, Britain, April 17, 2021.
Victoria Jones/Pool via Reuters

Royal family members attend the funeral of Prince Philip, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP

Family members only sat with members of their own household: Prince Charles and wife Camillia together; Prince William and Kate Middleton together; and the Queen and Prince Harry each sitting alone.

The royal family did not give eulogies, and per COVID-19 guidelines, they could not sing. 

Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, look on during the funeral of Prince Philip, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, April 17, 2021.
Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP

PHOTO: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge  during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021, in Windsor, England.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021, in Windsor, England.
Chris Jackson/WPA Pool via Getty Images

Prince Philip’s funeral was a reflection of his own wishes and displayed both the professional and personal aspects of his life: his family and his military service.

The music at the service was selected by Philip himself.

The song sung near the start of the service, Britten’s Jubilate in C, was commissioned by Philip for the St. George’s Chapel Choir.

Later in the service, the adaption of Psalm 104 was set to music by William Lovelady at the request of Philip. The words of the Psalm, performed at a concert for Philip’s 75th birthday, “evoke themes of creation, the environment and wildlife,” which reflect Philip’s interests, according to Buckingham Palace.

One of the final moments of the service saw the Buglers of the Royal Marines play the Bugle Call, which signifies the end of the day, or, in Philip’s case, when a soldier has gone to his final rest. Philip also requested that the Royal Marines sound Action Stations, a Naval tradition that announces that all hands should go to battle stations.

Apr 17, 2021, 10:00 AM EDT

Nation holds somber 1 minute of silence

A national minute of silence was held at 10 a.m. ET ahead of the service.

In this handout photo provided by the Ministry of Defense, a gun salute to commemorate Britain's Prince Philip, at the Tower of London, in London, April 17, 2021.
Ed Wright/Ministry of Defense via AP

Prime Minister Boris Johnson stands for a moment of silence for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Chequers Court in Buckinghamshire, England, April 17, 2021.
Andrew Parsons/Avalon via Newscom

Heathrow Airport said it was stopping all arrivals and departures for six minutes to coincide with the national minute of silence.

"During the funeral service no Heathrow arrivals or departures will fly over the area, but we don’t expect this to require any rerouting of aircraft," the airport said.

The flowers in the wreath on the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin were chosen by the Queen.

The coffin was topped by Philip's Admiral of the Fleet Naval Cap and a sword given to him by his father-in-law, King George VI, for his 1947 wedding to then-Princess Elizabeth.

The Duke of Edinburgh's coffin, covered with His Royal Highness's Personal Standard, during the Ceremonial Procession during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021, in Windsor, England.
Wpa Pool/Getty Images

The funeral is at St George's Chapel, where Harry and Meghan Markle married in May 2018.

Pall Bearers carry the coffin of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, followed by members of the Royal family inside St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, on April 17, 2021.
Danny Lawson/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Apr 17, 2021, 9:56 AM EDT

William, Harry seen together in royal procession

Prince William and Prince Harry were seen together for the first time in over one year as they joined the royal procession. Standing between the brothers was Peter Phillips, Princess Anne’s son.

Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Peter Phillips, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex walk during the Ceremonial Procession at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021, in Windsor, England.
Alastair Grant/WPA Pool via Getty Images

The last time the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex were seen together was March 2020 at the Commonwealth Day Service.

Prince Charles, the heir to the throne and Philip's oldest child, also walked in the procession ahead of his sons, along with Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and other members of the royal family follow Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's coffin during the Ceremonial Procession at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021, in Windsor, England.
Alastair Grant/WPA Pool via Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II, traveling by car, joined the back of the procession as she mourns her husband of 73 years on a very public stage.

Joining the Queen in the car was Lady in Waiting, Lady Susan Hussey.

The procession follows Prince Philip's coffin, which was placed onto a Land Rover designed by Philip himself.

The Duke of Edinburgh's coffin is carried on the purpose built Land Rover during the Ceremonial Procession during the funeral of Prince Philip at Windsor Castle, April 17, 2021, in Windsor, England.
Gareth Fuller/WPA Pool via Getty Images

The Duke of Edinburgh's coffin, covered with His Royal Highness's Personal Standard is carried to the purpose-built Land Rover during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021, in Windsor, England.
Adrian Dennis/WPA Pool via Getty Images

It was repainted in military green at his request and he designed the open-top for his coffin, BBC News reported.

Apr 17, 2021, 9:39 AM EDT

Guests including Kate Middleton head to chapel

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall (daughter-in-law to Prince Philip and wife to Prince Charles) and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge were among the funeral guests who traveled by car to the chapel, as opposed to walking in the royal procession behind the coffin.

PHOTO: Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge  arrives at St George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle on the day of the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip, in Windsor, England, April 17, 2021.
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at St George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle on the day of the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip, in Windsor, England, April 17, 2021.
Hannah Mckay/Pool via Reuters

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrives for the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England.
Hannah McKay/WPA Pool via Getty Images

Also traveling by car are some of Prince Philip's grandchildren: Zara Tindall (with her husband, Mike Tindall); Princess Eugenie (with her husband, Jack Brooksbank); and Princess Beatrice (with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi).

PHOTO: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge (right) and family members await the arrival of the coffin at
the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Guard Room Roof, Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, April 17, 2021.
Catherine Duchess of Cambridge (right) and family members await the arrival of the coffin at the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Guard Room Roof, Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, April 17, 2021.
Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Members of the military stands outside St George's Chapel before the funeral service of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021.
Hannah Mckay/POOL via AFP via Getty Images

Related Topics