Stay-at-home orders for Prince Philip's funeral enrage devoted subjects: 'Mediocre service for a great man'
Fans of the British royal family have voiced their frustrations at the palace's request to stay at home during Prince Philip's funeral.
Hundreds of well-wishers began gathering outside Windsor Castle early this morning, on April 17. The crowd gathered despite several warnings issued to the public about not congregating near the royal residence. It was advised that people watch the ceremony on their televisions and stay at home.
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Professor Chris Imafidon, from Essex, spoke to the outlet outside the historic castle. He said he met Philip on a few occasions and insisted that telling the public to stay away was simply a "disgrace."
"I think it's a disgrace, there should be more people here, especially when there are plans for people to return to football stadiums," he told Express UK. "It's such a mediocre service for a great man, his contribution to helping working-class people generally has been enormous. He has done so much for this country, there should be a big public celebration of his life."
"People have been asked not to come, so I think it will be a quiet atmosphere, I just feel so sad," Imafidon added.
The somber event in Windsor brought hordes of the duke's fans to the castle, carrying flowers. Police officers, both mounted and armed, were spotted conducting patrols around town. Meanwhile, there was also an increased presence of medical emergency personnel.
Buckingham Palace officials had appealed to members of the public not to leave floral tributes outside royal residences when the death of the Duke of Edinburgh was announced, last Friday, on April 9.
Nonetheless, thousands of visitors have turned up at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to pay their respects since last week.
Senior royals were photographed this afternoon as they attended the 3 pm church service at the castle. Well-wishers had lined the streets as mourners traveled to the funeral. Police officers on motorbikes temporarily blocked off traffic on the high street, while stewards reportedly halted pedestrians.
56-year-old Ian Mawhinney, a resident of Windsor, told Express UK that it had been a "somber few weeks" in the town. "I think it's really important to mark the event. It's been a very somber time for the town," he added.