1 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
The Duke of Edinburgh had a lifelong passion for driving carriages. At his request, two of his rare Fell ponies, Balmoral Nevis and Notlaw Storm, pulled a four-wheeled carriage he designed himself around the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral service, with his riding cap and gloves visible on the seat. “I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!” the Duke of Cambridge said in his first statement after the death of his beloved grandfather.
2 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
The Duchess of Cambridge, seen here arriving in Windsor for the funeral, paid tribute to the late Duke’s relationship with the Queen via her jewellery, which included a pair of diamond and pearl earrings gifted to Her Majesty on the occasion of her wedding in 1947.
3 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
The Duke of Edinburgh’s years of military service were poignantly reflected throughout the day. Within St George’s Chapel, the four-person choir performed “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”, a hymn long associated with the Royal Navy. Meanwhile, at the close of the service, the Buglers of the Royal Marines–of which the Duke acted as Captain General for more than 60 years–sounded Action Stations. As shared by Buckingham Palace, “This is traditionally an announcement that would be made on a naval warship to signify that all hands should go to battle stations, and was requested by His Royal Highness.”
4 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
The Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex reunited to pay tribute to their grandfather’s memory. While the Duchess of Sussex had to remain in California due to her pregnancy, she quietly worked with British florist Willow Crossley to design a wreath to be laid in the chapel in Philip’s honour on the day of the funeral.
5 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
The Prince of Wales led a procession of mourners through the grounds of Windsor Castle and into the chapel, including the Princess Royal, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex and Forfar, the Duke of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex, the Earl of Snowdon, and Vice Admiral Tim Laurence.
6 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
The Queen travelled in the State Bentley Limousine behind the rest of the procession, wiping away tears as she approached St George’s Chapel. In accordance with royal protocol, this marks the first and last time that Her Majesty has followed her husband at an event, with Philip always “two paces behind” throughout their 73-year marriage.
7 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
True to witty form, the Duke would frequently joke with the Queen about his funeral arrangements over the years, repeatedly telling Her Majesty, “Just stick me in the back of a Land Rover and drive me to Windsor.” In a nod to the joke (and his devotion to the British Army), Prince Philip personally selected a customised Land Rover Defender to transport his coffin to its final resting place in St George’s Chapel, having it repainted in military green for the occasion.
8 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
The Queen sat alone throughout the funeral in accordance with pandemic guidelines. In honour of her husband of 73 years, Her Majesty wore pearls, representative of tears and associated with mourning since Queen Victoria’s reign.
9 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
Nine of the Duke of Edinburgh’s insignia were displayed on the altar at St George’s Chapel, including the Order of the Elephant and the Order of the Redeemer, in a nod to his Greek and Danish heritage, as well as his Royal Air Force wings and Field Marshal’s baton. The Duke received awards from more than 50 countries over the course of his career.
10 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
The Queen personally selected the flowers to rest on Philip’s coffin alongside his Naval cap and sword. Along with the traditional lilies, Her Majesty included roses for Philip’s birth month of June; jasmine, a traditional emblem of purity; sweet peas, which represent gratitude; and wax flowers, a symbol of enduring love.
11 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
Just 30 members of the royal family attended the service for the Duke of Edinburgh at St George’s Chapel near Windsor Castle, upholding social distancing guidelines and keeping their masks on throughout the funeral. In addition to those members of the royal family in the procession, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie were also all present.
12 / 12
Prince Philip’s Funeral In Pictures
The royal family watched as the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, where some 44 members of the royal family have been buried through the years, including Henry VIII and Charles I. As he entered his final resting place, the Garter King of Arms, Her Majesty’s expert in ceremony and heraldry, read aloud the Duke’s full title, which is more than 133 words long given his dozens of military and royal honours.
This story was originally published on British Vogue.
