On Saturday, the royal family gathered at Windsor Castle for the funeral of Prince Philip, who died on April 9 at the age of 99.
Due to the restrictions of COVID-19, it was a more discreet affair than usual, with only 30 people in distress and a reduced military procession.
But according to royal historian Marlene Koenig, the late Duke of Edinburgh would have approved it.
“It was what I wanted, even though it shrank,” he told Page Six. “I wanted him to have his own personality, even designing the hearse of a Land Rover that almost looked like a luxury van.”
Koenig noted the presence of Prince Philip’s love of the car and ponies as another of the “beautiful touches” that reflected his life and interests.
As for the lack of praise? That choice was made “for the simple reason that I didn’t want it to really focus on him,” Koenig said. “There are so many successes, but I think he was content to leave them in the hands of obituary writers and let the ceremony be a reflection of his Christian faith and the simplicity of his own life.”
Funeral guests also wore their own special symbolism, especially Kate Middleton, who wore a four-stranded Japanese pearl search from the Queen’s collection, along with earrings made of pearls that Her Majesty received as wedding gift when she married Prince Philip in 1947.
“It looked very elegant and sent a very subtle symbol that this necklace and these earrings represented part of Philip’s life with the queen,” the royal historian noted.
A significant gesture that Koenig said may have fallen to the ground, however, comes from the crown that Meghan Markle sent to the ceremony, along with a handwritten card.
The Duchess of Sussex, who is expecting a baby girl, reportedly stayed home in part because she “didn’t want to be the center of attention.”
Instead, he sent a wreath of flowers of local origin and highly symbolic, including flowers representing the Greek heritage of Prince Philip, the month of birth and more, which were outlined in a press release. , a move that Keonig described as unusual.
“The royal family doesn’t usually say,‘ Well, that [wreath’s] of Charles, of Andrew, of Beatrice, ”he told us. “I think he drew attention a little bit about them instead of saying nothing … The original statement his doctor advised him not to go, I think, was the best way to go.”
Koenig added that “the only crown of interest was the one placed on Queen Elizabeth’s coffin; inside was a personal note from her ”.
There were also many talks about the seemingly kind talks of the alienated brothers, Prince William and Prince Harry, after the funeral. Lip readers even tried to decipher exactly what the future king and his little brother were talking about. However, Koenig believes this is just the beginning of a possible reconciliation for the couple.
“I think it will take much longer than walking up the hill to the private apartments at Windsor Castle for William and Harry to sit down and discuss all the issues and alleged problems,” he explained, adding that he believes Harry should consider staying. on Wednesday to celebrate her grandmother’s 95th birthday to spend some more time with her family.
“They have to talk to each other,” he said.
