Prince Philip was instrumental in designing his own funeral service which has been in the planning for more than 25 years. He and his wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles, blinked back … Eight pallbearers pulled the coffin up steep steps to the chapel entrance and halted as the U.K. observed a minute's silence. A small congregation of family members and close friends were in attendance, all masked and socially distanced, as reporter Willem Marx reports. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record. UNIDENTIFIED SINGER: (Singing) Oh, hear us when we cry... MARX: With Elizabeth's head bowed for much of the service, the Archbishop of Canterbury led the blessing before Philip was interred in the royal vault beneath. The royal website was replaced with a single black page containing Philip's photo and announcing details of his death. Dressed all in black, she paused briefly to watch the procession before she entered, followed by a cluster of her sons, wives, grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law. As the world reacted to the news, members of the public began laying flowers outside Buckingham Palace and the entrance to Windsor Castle, where Philip died Friday morning. "Although this is an extraordinarily difficult time for many, we are asking the public not to gather at royal residences, and continue to follow public health advice particularly on avoiding meeting in large groups and on minimizing travel," a Cabinet Office spokesman said. The ceremonial royal funeral will be held at St George's Chapel, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, at 15:00 BST on Saturday 17 April. 20:39pm, Sat 10 Apr 2021. Royal Family Reunites for Prince Philip’s Funeral at Windsor Castle The procession unfurled in the blazing spring sunshine, with 30 members of the British royal family, and hundreds of members of the armed forces in attendance. The slimmed-down royal funeral, which was not a state funeral per the prince’s wishes, started with a unique, personal touch. ET Saturday from locations across the U.K., including the Tower of London, as well as all deployed British Navy ships. The death of Queen Elizabeth II's … "The funeral arrangements have been revised in view of the prevailing circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic," the College of Arms said in a statement Friday. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Royal Family Holds Smaller, Intimate Funeral For Prince Philip Amid Pandemic Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, is laid to rest today … DAVID CONNER: 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. Along with his wife, Queen Elizabeth II, Philip was vaccinated against Covid-19 in January. The royal family came together for the first time in many months to say their goodbyes to Prince Philip at his ceremonial royal funeral on Saturday. Most networks broke into their scheduled programming, which was replaced by breaking news coverage, obituaries, historical analysis and international reaction. "It is regretfully requested that members of the public do not attempt to attend or participate in any of the events that make up the funeral.". It said a selection of the messages would be passed to the royal family and may be held "for posterity" in the Royal Archives, a selection of unique documents held in the Round Tower of Windsor Castle relating to royal history dating back 250 years. MARX: And the tiny choir of four singers reminded them of the duke's wartime naval service. His body will, instead, lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George's Chapel. State funerals are usually only granted to ruling sovereigns, but the decision also came at Philip's request, it said. Created with sketchtool. ET) Friday. By law, funerals in the U.K. must have 30 attendees or fewer — a world away from the pageantry of the Queen Mother's funeral in 2002, which saw 200,000 mourners line the streets. Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, is laid to rest today at the chapel of Windsor Castle. It reiterated pleas for people "not to gather in crowds" and said that "those wishing to express their condolences are asked to do so in the safest way possible. Accuracy and availability may vary. Prince Philip Laid to Rest in Royal Funeral Without Precedent The ceremony symbolized his devotion to Queen Elizabeth and the armed forces Prince Philip’s coffin is carried to St. George’s Chapel. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. Prince Philip's funeral to be private due to Covid pandemic, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s love story, Watch: The announcement of Prince Philip's passing posted on royal palace gates. He died a little over two months before his 100th birthday. A limited number of friends and family in attendance. Prince Philip through the years 29 photos The funeral will start at 3 p.m. BST, or 10 a.m. In the first row here are Philip's sons Prince Andrew, left, and Prince Edward. The British Cabinet met at 5 p.m. local time (noon ET) to pay its respects. The virus is still spreading in the U.K., which has enjoyed recent vaccination successes but has suffered one of the world's worst death tolls per capita. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and late husband of Queen Elizabeth II, is being laid to rest in an emotional farewell, with clear signs of Royal Family tension.. Philip's active duty Royal Navy service and associations with different branches of the military were prominent parts of the funeral. Westminster Abbey in London began tolling its bell 99 times, once every minute, at 6 p.m. local time (1 p.m. Wardens of the Castle move floral tributes to the side of the driveway at the Henry VIII Gate of Windsor Castl following the announcement of the death of Britain's Prince Philip on Friday April 9. The public broadcaster said that all planned programming had been suspended. UNIDENTIFIED SINGERS: (Singing unintelligibly). Philip, who had been married to Queen Elizabeth II for more than seven decades, died last week at … The abbey was where Philip married Elizabeth in November 1947. This prompted a plea from the government for them to stop because of Covid-19. Created with sketchtool. Prince Harry and Prince William's royal rift is based on "very profound things which cannot be instantly resolved" at Prince Philip's funeral, a royal author tells Newsweek. It is unclear when the funeral will take place; the College of Arms said further details would be announced. At a ceremonial royal funeral like Prince Philip’s, it has been traditional for uniforms to be worn. The ceremonial royal funeral is expected to be a low-key send-off to Philip, the longest-serving royal consort in British history. LONDON — The funeral of Britain's Prince Philip, who died Friday at 99, may be like no other major royal event in modern history. Philip’s funeral will be April 17 at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in a family service that will be closed to the public, Buckingham Palace said in a release Saturday. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was laid to rest today outside of London. "We are supporting the Royal Household in asking that floral tributes should not be laid at Royal Residences at this time.". ROYAL sources have said the reported feud between Prince Harry and Prince William has taken up 'much thought and energy' in preparation for Prince Philip's funeral today. Following the passing of Prince Philip on Friday morning, the Royal Family has entered a period of mourning, along with the rest of the United Kingdom. See photos of the Queen, Prince William and Harry, and more. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. ", Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. Prince Philip’s funeral ceremony will start at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, according to the statement. ELLIOTT: The dean of Windsor welcomed the small congregation of 30. LONDON — The funeral of Britain's Prince Philip, who died Friday at 99, may be like no other major royal event in modern history. Many observers believe that Philip’s funeral will provide an ideal opportunity for “The Firm” to show a united front to the world and for the royal brothers to smooth over tensions. They were worn at the last ceremonial royal funeral, that of the Queen Mother. The British Royal Family have paid tribute to Prince Philip with an intimate funeral service. Prince Philip: A royal funeral like no other Duke of Edinburgh death (PA Wire) By The Newsroom. The BBC and other broadcasters stopped their TV and radio shows to play the U.K.'s national anthem, "God Save the Queen," after the official announcement of Philip's death. A royal love story:Look back at Prince Philip's 73-year marriage to Queen Elizabeth II As the coffin is borne up the West Steps, at 10 a.m. EST, a national minute of silence will commence. Prince Philip's funeral: how other royals and friends will watch service Kate Middleton had a special connection to Prince Philip long before royal wedding More news The formal funeral service then began with an 18th-century hymn selected by the late duke. Philip will not have a state funeral and he will not lie in state, according to the College of Arms, a body that plays a role in royal funerals. ET and will be televised throughout. It’s important to note that Prince Philip’s funeral is a ceremonial royal funeral, rather than a state funeral, which is usually reserved for a monarch. Philip's coffin will be at rest and it is expected to be moved at some point over the next few days to Chapel Royal at St James's Palace in London. The royal family is asking people to make donations to charities instead of laying flowers at royal residencies, Buckingham Palace said. For NPR News, I'm Willem Marx in London. WILLEM MARX, BYLINE: From Windsor Castle's ceremonial gate, the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin was carried downhill to St. George's Chapel, accompanied by gun salutes... MARX: ...Military personnel, bright spring sunshine and the ringing of bells. Copyright © 2021 NPR. But coronavirus lockdown restrictions currently in force in the United Kingdom mean that officials are discouraging crowds from paying their respects. Following Philip's death Friday, a framed notice was placed on the railings outside Buckingham Palace and all official flags will be flown at half-staff until the funeral itself. Here, in pictures, is the story of the day. IE 11 is not supported. Prince Philip's funeral procession unfurled in the spring sunshine, with 30 members of the British royal family at St. George's Chapel. Members of the royal family walk behind Philip's coffin during the procession to St. George's Chapel. The queen is considering "modified" funeral plans in light of the pandemic and government guidelines, a statement from Buckingham Palace said Friday. And the House of Commons will return Monday, one day early from its Easter recess, for a special session marking his life. Prince Philip has sadly passed away at the age of 99, and the royal family are currently in the process of planning his funeral. All rights reserved. Earlier this year, he was hospitalized for around a month, during which time he was suffering from what officials described as "an infection" and he underwent a procedure for an existing heart condition. MARX: His four children and three of his grandsons walked behind his personalized hearse, a dark-green Land Rover he designed. The death of Queen Elizabeth II's husband is expected to mark the start of eight days of national mourning in the United Kingdom. The family also opened an online book of condolence. Created with sketchtool. Alastair Grant/WPA Pool. The royal family said their final goodbyes to Prince Philip on Saturday at an intimate funeral service attended by only 30 people at … Gun salutes were expected at 7 a.m. News United Kingdom Royal Family Death Funeral As the U.K. mourns the death of Prince Philip —Queen Elizabeth II's husband—the royal family and … As they neared the chapel's main staircase, the band of the Grenadier Guards regiment struck up the British National Anthem, a song wishing long life for Philip's 94-year-old widow Queen Elizabeth. The death of Queen Elizabeth II's husband is expected to mark the start of eight days of national mourning. 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