In the royal procession that walks behind the coffin as it’s transported from the queen’s private chapel to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle (via a specially modified Land Rover that Philip helped design), the brothers—who will be separated by Peter Phillips,Princess Anne’s son. Denying that William and Harry’s separation is meant to send “a signal”, a spokesperson for the palace told People, “this is a funeral and we are not going to be drawn into perceptions of drama. The arrangements have been agreed and represent Her Majesty’s wishes.” During the televised funeral all eyes are likely to be on William and Harry, who are not believed to have reconciled in the aftermath of Harry and Meghan Markle’s incendiary interview withOprah Winfrey. The funeral procession will be comprised of members of the royal family and longstanding members of Philip’s staff. At the front will be Philip’s four childrenPrince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, while Prince William, Peter Philips and Prince Harry will walk behind them. At the back of the group, behind two of Philip’s valets and two of his pages, will come the queen in her Bentley, accompanied by a lady-in-waiting. While the lady-in-waiting sits at the back of the chapel, the queen will make her way to the front pew where, due to social distancing rules that do not allow different households to mingle, she will sit alone. An element of tension was introduced to the proceedings earlier this week when it was reported that Harry (who handed back his military titles and honors when he and Meghan stepped down as senior royals) and Prince Andrew (who was forced to step away from his royal duties due to his association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein) would be the only royal men who wouldn’t be wearing a military uniform. But now, in a break of tradition, it’s been revealed that none of the men will be wearing military uniforms and that all the men will be wearing morning suits. Although a source said the decision was made to spare Harry any embarrassment, it’s more likely to have helped shut down Andrew’s “demands” to wear an admiral’s uniform to his father’s funeral. Aware of the public outcry that the spectacle of Andrew in an admiral’s uniform would provoke, when he has still not granted the FBI’s request for an interview despite saying he would, it looks like the monarch saw a way to shut down controversy on both sides. In total, the number of mourners at the funeral will be 30, in line with the current COVID restrictions in place. A choir of only four members will perform at the ceremony, and as the coffin is being lowered into the vault they will sing the national anthem. Next up, Prince Philip’s life in pictures.
