Prince Philip's to be carried in Land Rover that he helped custom build: 'Duke did it his way until the last'
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will be carried to his grave on a custom-built Land Rover he reportedly designed himself. The Land Rover will be flanked by pallbearers drawn from the Royal Marines as it transports the coffin. As per a senior aide, Philip had always wanted it to be a part of his funeral.
The Queen and the Royal Family will travel behind the Land Rover for his funeral. The service inside the chapel will only be for the Royal Family and the Duke’s private secretary. As per reports, the Duke's coffin will be draped in his personal flag, his standard. The flag represents elements of his life, from his Greek heritage to his British titles. It will also carry his naval cap, sword, and a wreath of fresh flowers.
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At the end of the service, the coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault, where it will stay until the death of Queen Elizabeth II, whereupon they will be buried together. The ceremonial royal funeral will be held at St George's Chapel, on the grounds of Windsor Castle, at 3 pm BST (10 am EST) on Saturday, April 17. The event will be televised.
The custom-built Land Rover
As per a report in The Mirror, Philip was known for his practical skills and his enduring interest in design and engineering. A passionate motor enthusiast, he reportedly helped a team of engineers create the specially modified vehicle that will bear his coffin.
Philip’s wish for his choice of hearse emerged as Queen Elizabeth II signed off on arrangements for his send-off. As per the report, the Land Rover's role in the funeral proceedings formed part of Operation Forth Bridge — the codename given to the plans following Philip's death.
But before the pandemic, it was planned the vehicle would transport the Duke's coffin from Wellington Arch in central London to Windsor, and travel up the Long Walk, with members of the royal family joining the procession and walking through Windsor town center to the castle. Coronavirus restrictions on crowds and numbers attending funerals, however, mean the Duke's ceremonial funeral will be very low-key.
A Palace spokesman said: "The Duke had a great interest in design so that is where the involvement of the Land Rover comes from. The Land Rover was very much part of the original plans as approved by the duke." A senior Palace official said, "The Duke of Edinburgh had a hand many years ago in the design of these vehicles,” adding that there were two Land Rovers for "belt and braces".
The Land Rover, as per another report, started off as a joke between the Duke and the Queen in the 1980s. A Palace insider said, “The Land Rover started off as a joke between him and the Queen. But he was always fascinated with design so it was his own way of taking control of the situation.”
A Royal source said, speaking to The Mirror, “The Duke did it his way until the last and his family can take great comfort in that. He wanted the minimum of fuss, preferring to exit the stage when his time was up without great fanfare and, funnily enough, he got his way. It will be a solemn occasion for all involved, not just those in attendance but also the many people whose lives he touched in one way or another.”
In 2019, the Duke was driving a Land Rover Freelander when he was involved in a serious car crash. Then 97, the Duke was not injured in the accident, which happened as he drove a Land Rover out of a driveway onto the A149. The other car involved was reportedly a Kia. Two women in it needed hospital treatment.
Eyewitnesses said the Duke's Land Rover overturned during the collision. They said they helped the duke out of the vehicle. He was reportedly conscious but very, very shocked and shaken. The driver of the Kia suffered cuts, while the passenger sustained an arm injury, police said. Both were treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.