The queen bids farewell to Philip, continuing his reign alone

WINDSOR, England (AP) – Sitting alone at Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday, Queen Elizabeth carved a royal but solitary figure: still the monarch, but now alone.

The queen was separated from family members in the simple but gloomy ceremony according to the strict rules of social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. But if the ceremony had been for someone else, next to her would have been her 73-year-old husband, who gave his whole life in the service of the crown.

Wearing a face mask, the queen wore black, except for the diamond brooch that shone on her left shoulder, a piece she often wore in engagements with her husband.

The monarch’s four children and eight grandchildren sat in small groups nearby, during a naked service at Windsor Castle that made their loss more personal to people who often live their lives in public. The pandemic has placed the British royal family in the same position as many others, unable to give their loved ones wishes.

Only 30 bad guys were able to attend the service of the prince, who died on April 9 at the age of 99.

“We have been inspired by her steadfast loyalty to our Queen, her service to the nation and the Commonwealth, her courage, strength and faith,” Windsor Dean David Conner said in his call to prayer. “Our lives have been enriched through the challenges it has posed to us; the stimulus it has given us; its kindness, humor and humanity.”

Philip’s body was taken to St. George’s Chapel in the castle in a Land Rover that the Prince himself had specially designed. He was followed by members of the royal family, including Princes William and Harry, who made their first public appearance together since Harry and his wife, Meghan, offered a controversial interview to the North American television host. American Oprah Winfrey in which they discussed the difficulties of real life. and how the two brothers had separated.

The procession toured the grounds of Windsor Castle, passing military detachments arranged under a bright blue sky.

The nation honored Philip with a minute of silence observed across the UK at 3pm, its start and end marked by a gun fired by the Royal’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. The final shot marked the beginning of a funeral service imbued with military and royal tradition, but infused with the personality of the Duke.

Inside the medieval Gothic chapel, the scene of centuries of royal weddings and funerals, this service was quiet and without excess heritage. Philip was deeply involved in the planning of the ceremony. At his request, there was no sermon. There were also no praises or readings, according to royal tradition.

Former Bishop of London Richard Chartres, who knew Philip well, said the 50-minute service reflected the preferences of the prince, who was a man of faith but liked things to be succinct.

“He was at home with a large church, a high church and a low church, but what he really liked was the short church,” Chartres told the BBC.

The monarch offered her own touches to the day. Prior to the funeral, Buckingham Palace posted a photo of the Queen and Philip, smiling and relaxing on blankets in the grass of the Scottish Highlands in 2003. The palace said the photo was informal and unopposed. she was the queen’s favorite.

Earlier in the day, a few local residents left flowers outside the castle, although most people heeded requests from the palace and police to stay away due to the pandemic.

The funeral procession and the service itself took place out of public view, inside the castle grounds, a 950-year-old royal residence about 30 miles west of London. It was broadcast live on television.

The events of the day began at 11 a.m., when Philip’s coffin was moved from the royal family’s private chapel to the inner hall of Windsor Castle, where he rested until the procession began. The coffin was covered with Philip’s personal banner, crowned with his fleet admiral and naval cap and sword. The sword was given to him by his father-in-law, King George VI, on the occasion of his marriage to the Queen in 1947.

At the top of the coffin was a wreath chosen by the queen, including white lilies, small white roses, white freesia, white wax flower, white peas, and jasmine. A note from the monarch was attached, but its contents were not disclosed.

The funeral reflected Philip’s military ties, both as a ceremonial commander of many units and as a veteran of the Royal Navy who served with distinction during World War II. More than 700 military personnel took part in the commemorative events, including army bands, Royal Marine clarinets and an honor guard drawn from the armed forces.

The armed forces also sent wreaths of flowers that were placed outside St. George’s Chapel, some with handwritten notes. One said the actual Marines wanted to pay their respects to a man “who was with us and among us for 64 years.”

Lieutenant General Roland Walker, Lieutenant Colonel of the Grenadier Guard Regiment, said his unit had the honor of participating in it because of its close relationship with the prince. Philip served as regimental colonel of guards, his honorary leader, for 42 years.

“This is a privilege,” he told the BBC. “Because I understand he planned it, so we’re here because he wanted us to be here, and that, I think, even the minor guardians, is a known fact.”

Philip and the queen’s children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – walked behind the hearse along with other members of the royal family, all dressed in civilian clothes at the queen’s request. The queen followed in a Bentley.

William and Harry were part of the royal contingent of nine members, although their cousin, Peter Phillips, walked between them. There was no obvious tension between the brothers, whose relationship has been strained since Harry’s decision to leave the royal functions and move to California. After the service, they returned to the castle together, seemingly chatting kindly.

Her appearance in the service removed memories of the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997, when William and Harry, aged 15 and 12, were walking behind her mother’s coffin accompanied by Philip.

In honor of Philip’s military service, several elements of the funeral had a maritime theme, including the hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” which is associated with seafarers and seeks protection for those in danger mar “.

As Philip’s coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, the Royal Marine’s clarinets sounded “Stations of Action,” an alarm warning sailors to prepare for battle, including service to Philip’s request. He rested there, at least until the queen’s death, alongside the remains of 24 other kings, including King George III, whose reign included the years of the American Revolution. The Queen and Philip are expected to be buried together in the Royal Cemetery on the Frogmore Estate, near Windsor Castle.

For decades, Philip was an apparatus of British life, known for his founding of the Duke of Edinburgh’s awards program that encouraged young people to challenge themselves and for a forceful manner that sometimes included frankly offensive comments. He lived in the shadow of his wife, but his death has provoked reflection on his role and a new recognition of many in Britain.

“To be perfectly honest, I didn’t realize how much his life had been, what he had done for all of us,” said Viv Davies, who came to pay his respects to Windsor. “He was a wonderful husband, wasn’t he, for the queen and the children? Just remarkable – and I don’t think we’ll see the same thing again.”

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Jill Lawless reported from London.

Follow full AP coverage of Prince Philip’s death at https://apnews.com/hub/prince-philip

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