Funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh

The entire British Royal Family and some special Foreign Royal Guests attended the Ceremonial Royal Funeral of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on April 17th. The oldest and longest serving Consort to the longest-reigning Monarch in British History, the Duke passed away peacefully last week at Windsor Castle a few months before his 100th Birthday, and was heavily involved in the planning of his own Funeral, though they have been modified due to the ongoing Pandemic.

The Death of the Duke of Edinburgh | Royal Family Tributes to the Duke of Edinburgh | Foreign Royal Condolences on the Death of the Duke of Edinburgh | 99 Facts about the Duke of Edinburgh | The Details of the Funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

The Coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh emerged from the State Entrance of Windsor Castle, where it had been lying in the Private Chapel, into the Quadrangle, followed by the members of the Royal Family who were walking in the procession. All those in the Quadrangle gave the coffin a Royal Salute before the coffin was placed onto the bespoke Land Rover designed by the Duke and prepared for his Funeral. The Queen departed from the Sovereign’s Entrance in the State Bentley, accompanied by Lady Susan Hussey. The members of the Royal Family who followed on foot behind the coffin were:

The Princess Royal  The Prince of Wales

The Earl of Wessex and Forfar   The Duke of York

The Duke of Sussex   Peter Phillips   The Duke of Cambridge

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence   The Earl of Snowdon

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

The Procession moved towards St. George’s Chapel, through Engine Court, Chapel Hill Parade Ground and into Horseshoe Cloister, arriving at the West Steps. The route was lined by representatives from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Highlanders, and 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Royal Air Force. Minute Guns were be fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn of Windsor Castle. The National Anthem began to play as the coffin arrives at Horseshoe Cloister, to met by representatives from the Commonwealth and a Dismounted Detachment of the Household Cavalry. The Bearer Party carried the coffin up the West Steps of the Chapel before pausing for a National Minute Silence. The Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury then received the coffin. As the doors to St. George’s Chapel closed, the Royal Navy Piping Party piped the ‘Carry On’.

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

The Funeral Service was conducted by the Dean of Windsor, during which a small choir of four sang pieces of music chosen by the Duke. At the conclusion of the service, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, and the Dean of Windsor said:

Go forth upon thy journey from this world, O Christian soul,

In the name of God the Father Almighty who created thee;

In the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee;

In the name of the Holy Spirit who strengtheneth thee;

May thy portion this day be in peace,

and thy dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem. Amen.

The Garter Principal King of Arms proclaimed:

Thus it hath pleased Almighty God to take out of this transitory life unto his divine mercy the late most Illustrious and most Exalted Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order upon whom had been conferred the Royal Victorian Chain, Grand Master and Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom, One of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, Admiral of the Fleet, Field Marshal in the Army and Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Husband of Her Most Excellent Majesty Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, whom may God preserve and bless with long life, health and honour and all worldly happiness.

The Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the Blessing and the National Anthem was sung by the Choir. The Queen, members of the Royal Family and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Family then departed St. George’s Chapel via the Galilee Porch, escorted by the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

The congregation wore masks for the Service and Members of the Royal Family wore Day Dress or Morning Coat with medals rather then Uniforms and Orders. Due to the current restrictions, there were only 30 members of the Royal Family who could attend the Funeral Service in St. George’s Chapel, though Royal Families around the World have been commemorating the Duke’s death. Those 30 members were:

The Duke of Edinburgh personally selected the regalia that was displayed on the altar during the Funeral and was all sewn on to nine cushions at St James’s Palace this week. The Orders on display included the Order of the GarterOrder of the ThistleOrder of MeritRoyal Victorian OrderOrder of the BathOrder of the British Empire, the Order of CanadaOrder of Military Merit (Canada)Order of Australia, and the Order of New Zealand. Alongside his British Royal Orders and Commonwealth Royal Orders, there was the Greek Order of the Redeemer and the Danish Order of the Elephant as well as his Field Marshal’s Baton, Royal Air Force Wings, and many Medals.

17-1-3

2 thoughts on “Funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh

  1. Your article is the best I’ve seen of Prince Philip’s funeral. Thank you for posting all the lovely photographs, especially of the German cousins which we didn’t get to see during the broadcast. Everything looked so beautiful on such a crisp and bright sunny day. I thought Prince Philip’s funeral perfectly reflected the public and the private aspects of his life. The marching band and military personnel representing all the branches of service outside gave way to the intimate ceremony inside, with only family and the closest of associates attending the service. I think that’s just what he wanted.

    1. Thank You so much! I really wanted my article to be a way to round up all the different aspects and pay tribute to Prince Philip. It was a very moving day!

Leave a Reply