Prince Philip's funeral could strengthen the monarchy 3:35
London (CNN) -
In keeping with his no-nonsense, no-nonsense approach to life, the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral this Saturday will be a quiet affair by royal standards, but it will show his military roots and influence in the British monarchy.
The ceremony will take place in St George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle at 3:00 PM (10 AM Miami time).
Many will remember it as the setting for more joyous royal moments, such as Meghan Markle's wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 and Princess Eugenie's to Jack Brooksbank.
But unlike those events, there will be no crowds.
As on many other occasions in the past year, Prince Philip's funeral has been largely adapted due to the coronavirus, with all public items removed.
Of course, your closest family will be there, but the 30-person congregation rule puts a strict limit on who else will attend.
However, Felipe's other family, his military family, will play an essential role, with around 730 members of the Armed Forces involved.
While last minute changes were necessary to ensure compliance with the pandemic measures, the arrangements were meticulously planned over the years, with Felipe himself heavily involved in them.
The plan was signed by the queen and reflects the prince's last wishes, Buckingham Palace said.
advertising
Buckingham Palace reveals guest list for Prince Philip's funeral
Prince Felipe: what changes did you drive in the monarchy?
1:04
How will the day of the funeral unfold?
At the queen's coronation, Philip vowed "to become the sovereign of life and members, and of earthly worship;
and the faith and the truth I will give you to live and die, against all class of people ».
And through his steadfast devotion as the longest-serving consort, he did just that.
He never wanted a state funeral, usually reserved for monarchs, and made that clear to the Lord Chamberlain's Office, which has organized the event.
Instead, it will be a lower level, a royal ceremonial, as bestowed on the Queen Mother in 2002 and Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. But it will remain a keepsake steeped in tradition and symbolism, from the moment the coffin comes out of the box. Windsor Castle state entrance and runs through the grounds to St George's Chapel.
Felpe's coffin has been in the private chapel at Windsor Castle.
On Saturday morning, you will move to the Inner Hall, where the Dean of Windsor will say a prayer before the events of the day begin.
At 2:41 PM (9:41 AM Miami time), the coffin, covered by the Duke's personal banner, will be carried by porters from The Queen's Company, the 1st Guards Grenadier Battalion to the state entrance.
His sword and naval cap will be placed on top, along with a wreath of flowers.
At 2:45 PM (9:45 AM, Miami time), the procession will leave the ring, led by the Band of the Grenadier Guards regiment, of which Felipe was a colonel for 42 years.
The coffin will be carried the short distance to the chapel in a modified Land Rover, which Felipe helped design, and will be flanked by pallbearers highlighting its relationships with the Royal Marines, Regiment, Corps and Air Stations.
Felipe, a decorated war hero for his service in World War II, abandoned a burgeoning naval career to pursue his royal duties.
Military rehearsals for those involved in the ceremonial procession were held at Pirbright, an army training center southwest of London, throughout the week.
An independent dress rehearsal, including all the service bands and the full funeral parade, was held on Thursday at Windsor Castle.
Vanuatu tribe pays tribute to Prince Philip, revered by local prophecy
This Land Rover was modified to carry the Duke's coffin.
Welsh Guard soldiers bow their heads as they rehearse for Prince Philip's funeral in Woking, England, on Wednesday.
Prince Charles and other members of the royal family will follow the Land Rover on foot, while the staff of Philip's household will follow behind.
Princes William and Harry will walk in the same row, but separated by first cousin Peter Philips.
The siblings used to walk shoulder to shoulder, but Buckingham Palace would not be attracted to the dissipation of family tensions.
The queen, accompanied by a maid of honor, will travel to the chapel in a Bentley State limousine.
Family members not participating in the procession, such as the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge, will join the 94-year-old monarch to watch the funeral parade outside the chapel porch in Galilee.
This also includes the Duke's German relatives who will be attending, including his great-nephews, the Crown Prince of Baden and the Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.
In a break with tradition, the royals in the procession will not wear military uniforms and instead will wear coats with medals or day dresses.
Clothing has become a hot topic in recent days, after reports emerged that Prince Andrew, who retired from royal work two years ago, was considering wearing an admiral's uniform.
The decision to forgo military attire will also keep Prince Harry from feeling embarrassed, as he was stripped of his honorary military titles in March after stepping back as a member of higher royalty.
At 2:53 PM (9:53 AM Miami time), the procession will come to an end at the foot of the Western Steps of St. George's Chapel.
At 3:00 PM (10:00 AM Miami time), a national minute of silence will be held before the coffin continues to climb the steps and is greeted by the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury at the upper part.
The archbishop will lead the service.
Due to covid-19 congregation boundaries, only family members involved in the funeral parade will enter the chapel after the coffin.
In accordance with public health rules, the congregation will wear a mask during the 50-minute service.
A four-person choir, seated away from the mourners on the nave, will sing a selection of music chosen by the duke.
The dean will give the eulogy as the coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault, where many members of the royal family have been entombed.
The vault, located under the chapel, was built by George III, who is one of several kings buried inside.
However, it will not be Felipe's final resting place.
When the queen dies, Felipe will reunite with his former wife of 73 years and will move to the commemorative chapel of King George VI (another part of the Gothic Church) to rest with her.
Already buried in the vault are the queen's father, her mother Elizabeth, and her sister Margaret.
"My grandfather was an extraordinary man": Prince William pays tribute to Prince Philip
The George VI Memorial Chapel in St George's Chapel, Windsor.
Windsor Castle has had a lot of history and Saturday will be no different.
Felipe was at times a controversial figure, but the legacy to be celebrated on Saturday is his passion for innovation, from his drive to allow cameras to enter the royal house to show that the family does normal things, like hosting barbecues, to his determination to launch an official family website to spread his work to the rest of the world, leading to founding the Duke of Edinburgh's awards program to inspire young people to realize their potential.
When he became a consort, he didn't have a defined role, so he defined it himself.
He used his profile to advocate for the issues that mattered to him.
His place in British history is assured by what he did and not by what he was.
He will be remembered as a man who not only supported, but also advised, one of the most successful monarchs in British history.
Remembering Prince Philip
A grieving son receives tribute to his 'pa'
Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, were out for a walk Thursday to see the countless floral tributes the public left to the Duke of Edinburgh.
The flowers, cards and other gifts had initially been left outside Buckingham Palace, but were moved down the road to Marlborough House.
The queen is also expected to see them.
Royal Family Website Releases Book of Condolences
An online condolence book has been launched on the royal family's official website, allowing people to leave messages of condolence.
The family has asked members of the public to "consider making a donation to a charity rather than leaving floral tributes in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh."
Harry's mad dash back to the UK for funeral
With the coronavirus wreaking havoc on air travel, many royal observers were concerned that the Duke of Sussex would not be able to attend his grandfather's funeral. Fortunately, Prince Harry flew into London Heathrow Airport last weekend and spent the week isolated at Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of the Windsor estate. The duke likely wanted to follow the rules for pandemic-era travel and guarantee a quarantine period before attending the service this weekend. Like any other traveler returning to the UK, Harry can choose to prove his departure from the mandatory 10-day quarantine period. But UK rules for mourners arriving in the country allow him to attend Saturday service for "compassionate reasons" regardless.
The Princess Royal during her visit to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
The queen returns to her duties
The 94-year-old monarch organized a ceremony Tuesday within the confines of Windsor Castle for Earl Peel, who recently stepped down as Lord Chamberlain.
Her office manages the queen's program of ceremonial events, ranging from garden parties and state visits to royal weddings and the state opening of Parliament.
Princess Anne also made her first engagement in person since her father's death this week, when she visited the Royal Victoria Yacht Club on the Isle of Wight, of which Philip was an admiral.
From the royal vault
Tributes have come from all over the world since Buckingham Palace announced Philip's death last Friday.
On Wednesday, the family opted to use their social media accounts to share fond memories of their beloved patriarch.
Photos in the royal family's personal archives, some of which had not been seen before, showed the beloved elder of the family with a "contagious sense of adventure," as William described it.
The family published this moving photo of Felipe and the queen surrounded by seven of their great-grandchildren.
The photo was taken at Balmoral Castle in Scotland by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in 2018.
Many family photos like this have been posted to the various social accounts of the family this week.
Answers to your questions
The flags of the entire United Kingdom have been lowered to half-staff during the mourning period.
But not all flags.
Only one flag is not half up to: the one flying over Windsor Castle right now.
Why not?
Because it is the Royal Standard.
It belongs to the monarch and shows when she is "in residence."
A word from the royal family
The count reflected on his father in a moving tribute on Thursday, describing Felipe as having a "unique ability to make a lasting impression in a remarkably short time."
- Max and Lauren
Prince philip
