LONDON (BBC) - The Duke of Edinburgh’s “unwavering loyalty” to the Queen, service to the nation and “courage”, was celebrated at his funeral held in London yesterday. Prince Philip›s association with the Royal Navy and love of the sea was focused at the Windsor Castle ceremony.
But no sermon was delivered, in line with his wishes.
More than 730 members of the armed forces took part in the event, but there was a limit of 30 mourners at St George›s Chapel, under Covid-19 rules.
The ceremonial royal funeral was broadcast on BBC One after the service itself observed a national minute›s silence at 15:00 BST. Prince Philip died at Windsor Castle on Friday, April 9, aged 99.
His body was resting in the inner hall at Windsor Castle. His coffin was placed on a modified Land Rover that the duke himself helped to design, and carried in a procession the short distance to St. George›s Chapel.
The funeral service was conducted by the Dean of Windsor, with the Archbishop of Canterbury pronouncing the blessing.
The Dean of Windsor paid tribute to Prince Philip›s «kindness, humour and humanity» and the «many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us».
The funeral plans were modified to take into account public health guidelines. The funeral took place entirely within the grounds of the castle and the public were asked not to gather there or at other royal residences.
But the ceremonial aspects of the day and the service remained in line with Prince Philip›s wishes and reflected his military affiliations and personal elements of his life. The 30 guests at the funeral wore morning coats with medals, or day dress, but not military uniform.
The Queen and duke›s four children - the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex and - as well as their eight grandchildren – were in attendance, but none of their young great-grandchildren.
Duke of Sussex›s wife, the Duchess of Sussex, is heavily pregnant and was advised by her doctors not to fly in from the US.
The other mourners included the children of the Queen›s sister, Princess Margaret, and three of Prince Philip›s German relatives - Bernhard, the Hereditary Prince of Baden; Donatus, Prince and Landgrave of Hesse; and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.
The funeral procession from the castle to the chapel was headed by the Band of the Grenadier Guards, the Major General›s party, and military service chiefs.
Nine members of the Royal Family walked behind the coffin, with Princess Anne and Prince Charles in the front row, followed by Prince Edward and Prince Andrew. In the third row, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry were on either side of their cousin Peter Phillips.
The British Queen traveled with a lady-in-waiting in the state Bentley at the end of the procession.