Britain’s royal family said farewell to Prince Philip, family patriarch and Queen Elizabeth II’s husband of 73 years on Saturday as he was laid to rest in a royal vault on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Prince Philip, had died last week, a few months short of his 100th birthday.
Ahead of the funeral, riders from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery made their way up the Long Walk toward Windsor Castle, and military personnel and royal guards all in ceremonial dress took up their positions in Windsor’s Quadrangle beneath a blue sky.
Rows of military marching musicians played pieces of music, including “I Vow to Thee My Country” and “Jerusalem,” after members of the royal family not in the procession departed for St. George’s Chapel.
Waiting for him in the ancient chapel was the queen, dressed all in black and wearing a matching mask against the pandemic.
The queen, 94, who has called her husband her “strength and stay,” sat alone and at a remove from the other attendees, who were limited to 30 and maintained social distancing in accordance with the country’s Covid-19 rules.
Her grandson Prince Harry also sat alone. It was his first public appearance with the royal family since he and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, gave a tell-all interview to the media mogul Oprah Winfrey in the United States last month.
“We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our queen, by his service to the nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith,” said the Rev. David Conner, dean of Windsor, who conducted the funeral service that Philip himself planned. “Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humor and humanity.”
His coffin was draped with his personal flag, and placed on top was his sword, a naval cap, a flower wreath — and a letter from his wife.
The funeral service lasted less than an hour. After Philip’s casket was lowered into the royal vault, his many titles were proclaimed and a lament was played by a pipe major of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
When it was over, the queen stood up and, walking slowly, left the chapel.
Source: NBC News
