Cameras cut away from Queen to grant her privacy as she sat alone and bid final farewell to Prince Philip
The press granted the Queen and members of the royal family a rare moment of privacy as cameras cut away for them to bid Prince Philip a final goodbye.
The Duke of Edinburgh was laid to rest in an emotional service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle yesterday, on April 17. The ceremony was broadcasted to millions across the globe, and cameras showed the royal coffin -- draped in Philip's personal standard -- being lowered into the royal vault.
This was a groundbreaking moment for royal history as it was the first time the complete funeral service of a royal was televised live for a stay-at-home audience. Covid-19 restrictions made it impossible to have a traditional ceremony.
However, cameras cut away right at the moment when the coffin slowly disappeared into the vault, granting members of the royal family a brief moment to grieve the loss in private, The Sun reported.
RELATED ARTICLES
The Queen was seen on video, hunched over and head bowed, to the piper, the buglers, and trumpeters positioned in the Nave. She sat in her usual seat in the second row of the Quire, albeit this time without the company of her husband, who had stayed by her side for over seven decades before his demise on April 9 at age 99.
The movement of the casket being placed into the vault beneath the floor of the Quire of St George's Chapel usually takes place in private. However, the poignant moment was broadcasted for the first time as millions tuned in to watch Prince Philip's final journey amid the ongoing health crisis.
The Garter King of Arms proclaimed the Duke’s “styles and titles” as his coffin was lowered into the royal vault. This was followed by the naval call to arms, 'Action Stations', played at the request of Philip himself. According to Joe Little, the managing editor of Majesty magazine, the moment was "unique in British royal history."
Queen Elizabeth, who donned all black and wore a matching face mask for the occasion, appeared stoic and deep in thought as she entered St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The somber monarch was seen in one moving photo sitting alone in the vast chapel as she bid farewell to her loyal husband for one last time.
She bowed her head in respect as Prince Philip's coffin was carried by pallbearers to be placed in front of her pew. The Queen, who will turn 95 next week, will now have to rule alone for the first time in her 69-year reign, according to The Sun.
Prince Charles fought back tears during the service, as the Dean of Windsor recounted Philip's lifetime of dedication and undying service to his country. His son, Prince William, sat next to his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, while Prince Harry was seated on the opposite side of the chapel.
Philip's coffin was lowered into the vault as the 50-minute service came to a conclusion in highly emotional scenes, the like of which has never been aired on television before. However, the vault is not the duke's final resting place. His casket will eventually be buried next to the Queen's final resting place at Frogmore Gardens after she dies.