Royal Family News: Prince Philip’s Funeral Followed His Wishes, Despite Covid Restrictions

British royal family news divulges that April 9, 2021 was a difficult day for the monarchy. On that day Queen Elizabeth’s husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, died at Windsor Castel surrounded by family members. He was 99-years old and was a beloved patriarch who the queen called her “rock.”

His funeral service was held on April 17 at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor and it represented a coming together of his sometimes fractured family members, as well a service held in the midst of COVID-19 restrictions. As such the funeral was necessarily amended in places but according to Buckingham Palace, “the ceremonial aspects of the day and the service were still in line with the Duke’s wishes,” according to HELLO!

Royal Family News – Prince Philip Died In April

The pandemic made it so that only 30 guests were allowed to be in attendance. This number included all of Philip’s children and grandchildren plus their spouses. Also present were the children of the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret, and three of Philip’s German relatives: Bernhard, Hereditary Prince of Baden; Prince Donatus, Landgrave of Hesse; and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

Significantly, none of the royal family were in military uniform, an odd choice for a man who was proud of his military service. Instead, the men wore morning coats with their medals and the women wore day dresses.

Royal Family News – Prince Philip Died At Windsor Castle

The Band of the Grenadier Guards led the funeral procession to the chapel and Philip’s body was conveyed on a custom-built Land Rover hearse. The family members walked and the queen was transported in a Bentley.

At 3pm a national minute’s silence was observed, then the funeral began with Dean of Windsor, David Conner presiding. At the end of the service Philip’s body was interred in the royal vault in the chapel.

The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Attended Philip’s Funeral

During the ceremony Prince William shared with the congregation, “I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her. I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humor!” It was a fitting tribute for a man who valued loyalty and family above all else.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with the royal family. Come back here often for royal family news and updates.