Prince Philip’s official service will be held at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle in a 30-person ceremony this Saturday, April 17 at 3.00 pm (GMT+1).
While the funeral will be entirely closed to the public due to the global pandemic, the final goodbye to the Duke of Edinburgh will be televised across the globe.
If you wish to watch it live in Australia, Channel 9 will be streaming the broadcast which will take place at midnight, April 18 AEST. According to 9News, the service will be broadcast from 11 pm (AEST) on both Channel 9 and 9Now, with live updates on the 9News blog.
The funeral service will be held at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle and is known as a “Ceremonial Royal Funeral”. It will not be a State funeral.
Beginning with a National (UK) Minute’s Silence at 3.00 pm, it will be followed by a ceremonial procession inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Prince Philip’s coffin will be draped by his personal standard, accompanied by a wreath and his naval cap and sword.
According to 9News, the duke’s coffin will be carried in a purpose-built Land Rover — one which he himself was involved in designing — and will be flanked by military Pall Bearers with the band of the Grenadier Guards leading the procession.
Members of the royal family and the duke’s household will walk behind the coffin, much like Prince Philip, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Charles did for Princess Diana, however, the entire service will be conducted strictly in line with the British government’s COVID-19 guidelines. The public to pay their respects from home.
Prince Philip will be interred in the Royal Vault in St George’s Chapel.
The Duke of Edinburgh passed away on April 9 at the age of 99. The news was announced by Buckingham Palace in a statement.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty the Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh,” the statement read.
“His Royal Highness passes away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The royal family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.“
