Plans for a major royal death are made years in advance, although details remain firmly private and coronavirus restrictions currently in force across the UK mean that some aspects of the strategy need to be changed.
CNN understands that the queen must sign any proposal and it is not known if this has already happened. Nor is it clear how many hands Philip himself played in his funeral plans.
But some notable parts of the arrangements for Philip’s death have been announced, which government ministers, royal staff and media partners call “Forth Bridge” codenamed “Forth Bridge,” and they will perform as follows.
Philip’s remains are in Windsor Castle, the royal residence just west of London, where he and the queen have lived for the past few months.
His body will be at rest inside the castle, before his funeral in the chapel of Sant Jordi, also in situ. This agreement conforms to the royal custom and wishes of Philip, according to the College of Arms, the royal corporation that plays a key role in planning.
Tributes
A major royal death provokes expressions of grief from many Britons. The deaths of Princess Diana and the Queen Mother in recent decades have caused thousands of people to fill streets across the country to commemorate their lives.
On Friday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Today we mourn, with Her Majesty the Queen. We offer our condolences to her and her entire family, and give thanks, as a nation and kingdom, for life and work. extraordinary events of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh “.
The flags of the royal buildings will be thrown at half-staff until 8 a.m. (3 a.m. ET) the day after Philip’s funeral. This includes all the “official” flags of the United Kingdom: the Union Jack, the flags of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as flags and colors of the ships.
Flags over most government buildings have also been lowered, including 10 Downing Street.
Plans for Philip’s death included public tributes, though they are likely to be affected by restrictions on coronavirus-related meetings. In England, outdoor gatherings of more than six people or two households are banned, with similar restrictions elsewhere in the UK.
On Friday, the College of Arms “sadly requested that citizens not attempt to attend or participate in any of the events that make up the funeral.”
The government gave similar advice. “While this is an extraordinarily difficult time for many, we urge the public not to meet at Royal Residences and continue to follow public health advice, especially to avoid large group meetings and to minimize travel,” a spokesman said. from the cabinet office. statement.
“We are supporting the royal house to ask that no floral tributes be paid to Royal Residences at this time,” the spokesman added.
Saturday at noon in the arms show will be fired across the UK, the UK defense ministry wrote in a statement. “Across the UK, in Gibraltar and on HM ships at sea, healthy batteries will fire 41 shots in a round every minute for 40 minutes,” he wrote.
“The public is encouraged to watch the gun greetings from home, they will be held behind closed doors, but they will be broadcast online and on television,” the statement added.
The funeral
The current situation of the coronavirus threatens to make the Duke’s funeral unrecognizable among those previously held for most members of the royal family.
It will take place in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle and, unlike the one that will take place when the Queen dies, will not be a state funeral.
Even a so-called “ceremonial” funeral would normally be televised and include some public elements, but it is likely that all military ceremonies or processions take place behind the castle walls, to deter citizens from gathering.
This funeral was usually attended by heads of state from around the world.
But there is only permission to attend a funeral in England with up to 30 people, with social distancing measures in place. That won’t change on Monday, even as the country enters its second stage of “unlocking,” so it’s likely that Philip’s funeral will include only family and his closest friends and helpers.