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Irene Pyne

Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, died at Windsor Castle this morning, aged 99, Buckingham Palace announced in a statement. 
Prince Philip was discharged from London’s King Edward VII hospital on March 16, after being admitted a month earlier on the advice of his doctor because he was “feeling unwell”.
Now, the unenviable task of initiating the late Duke of Edinburgh’s ceremonial funeral plans falls to the funeral directors of the royal household. 


It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/XOIDQqlFPn
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 9, 2021

Rumoured to be code-named “Operation Forth Bridge”, Prince Philip’s funeral arrangements have been carefully planned behind closed doors but, for those of us unversed in royal protocol, here are some of your questions answered. 
Prince Philip will have a ceremonial funeral, not a state funeral. What’s the difference? 

While state funerals are usually reserved for the death of a reigning monarch, ceremonial funerals are reserved for the other members of the royal family.
While there are several minute differences between a state funeral and a ceremonial funeral, the most visible distinction would be that in a ceremonial funeral, the gun carriage with coffin would usually be drawn by horses, rather than pulled by sailors from the Royal Navy.
Like the funerals of the queen mother, Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, in 2002, and Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997, Prince Philip will also have a ceremonial funeral.
However, there is an exception to the rule. The most recent state funeral in the United Kingdom was in 1965 for Sir Winston Churchill, honouring his historical impact as the country’s wartime prime minister. 
Prince Philip’s 69 years of royal achievements
How is a royal death announced?

Traditionally, the BBC was always the first news outlet to be informed about a royal death but it has been reported that, in more contemporary times, the Press Association and international media receive the news of a royal death at the same time via newsflash.
Does the public get to pay their respects? 

Usually, yes. The deceased is traditionally taken to London’s Westminster Hall, where the coffin is laid on the catafalque (or decorated wooden frame) for the public to pay their last respects. The tradition, which typically lasts for three days, is called “lying in state”.

On the way to Westminster Hall, the coffin will be carried by a gun carriage and escorted in a long procession by members representing all of the British armed forces and members of the royal family. 
However, there are some reports that claim Prince Philip desired a simpler affair, instead opting for his body to lie at St James’ Palace, which is not open to the public. St James’ Palace is also where Princess Diana lay in state before her funeral in 1997.
Where will the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral take place?

According to tradition, a funeral service is expected to be held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, followed by the burial. 
The Independent reported in 2017 that Prince Philip chose to be buried in Frogmore Gardens, in the grounds of Windsor Castle. 
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are also interred in a mausoleum at Frogmore Gardens. Other British monarchs have been buried at Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel. 
What will the queen do?

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh had been married for 73 years, and we can only imagine the immensity of the queen’s loss. 

For the Queen’s predecessor and great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, the untimely death of her husband Prince Albert sent her into a deep depression for four decades, removing her from most public appearances. Queen Victoria also wore black for the rest of her life.
Formal plans do not anticipate the same for the reigning monarch, however. The Queen will be expected to enter an official initial period of mourning that lasts for eight days. Another 30 days of royal mourning are expected to follow, during which the Queen can return to public duties.
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Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, meeting war veterans at the field of remembrance at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, in 2012. He passed away on April 9, 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE

Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, greets guests at a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2017. Photo: AFP

Members of the media report outside London’s King Edward VII’s Hospital, where Britain’s Prince Philip was admitted on February 19, 2021. Photo: Reuters

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Prince Philip’s coffin is expected to be escorted by gun carriage to London’s Westminster Abbey. Photo: AP Photo

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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on their wedding day in 1947. Photo: @culturedessert/ Instagram

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Photo: @theroyalfamily/Instagram

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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle in Windsor, in October 2018. Photo: AFP

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Queen Elizabeth’s husband of 73 years died at Windsor Castle on April 9, according to Buckingham Palace, setting off code-named funeral arrangements
Like the queen mother and Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince Philip will receive a ceremonial funeral and is likely to be buried at Frogmore Gardens



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