Prince Philip funeral: Will he have a state funeral? Here are all the details
Royal fans across the globe are mourning the death of Prince Philip, who has died at the age of 99. It's worth noting that the Duke of Edinburgh had suffered from a string of maladies this year.
However, people are now wondering what his funeral arrangements will look like. Here's what we know.
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Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and consort to Queen Elizabeth II, dies at 99
When is Prince Philip's funeral?
Prince Philip, who was born into Greek and Danish royal families, died on April 9, 2021, after withstanding a series of health scares this year.
Longtime fans of 'The Firm' are expected to pay tribute to the prince, who was married to the Queen for over seven decades. Britishers, particularly, are now looking forward to pay their respects when he is laid to rest. However, not much is known at this time as to when his funeral will take place, or if there will be a state funeral amid the ongoing health crisis.
It's worth noting that Prince Philip is entitled to a state funeral as the consort of the Queen. However, in keeping with the duke's no-nonsense public image, he had reportedly asked not to be given a state funeral, according to The Sun. Instead, he is reportedly said to have requested what will essentially be a military funeral, with a private service held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor and burial in Frogmore Gardens.
If the duke had requested a state funeral, it would have mostly involved a military procession to Westminster Abbey, where his body would lie in state for the public to view and pay their respects. Following that, a service at either Westminster Abbey or St Paul’s Cathedral would take place, and then burial in St George’s Chapel. According to The Sun, the last state funeral for a royal family member took place in 1952, when King George VI, the Queen's father, was laid to rest in St George's Chapel.
What are the funeral details?
While the date, time, and location of the funeral are yet to be established, the service is likely to be held at St George’s Chapel, in keeping with the duke's wishes.
That said, only family members and a small number of heads of state are expected to attend the service. TV cameras will not be allowed inside the chapel, unlike for royal weddings, but the day will surely receive extensive news coverage both in the UK and around the world.
Last month, MEAWW reported how Prince Philip had been discharged from hospital after being admitted due to a pre-existing heart condition. The Duke of Edinburgh, who would have turned 100 in June, was being treated as an inpatient at a London hospital and later reunited with the Queen at Windsor Castle after being discharged on March 16.
A month ago, on February 16, he underwent surgery for a pre-existing heart condition following which he was also treated for an infection. He was at King Edward VII’s Hospital in Marylebone, central London. Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth, who is 94, had been staying together at Windsor Palace during the Covid-19 pandemic.