A funeral with minimal fuss – and just 30 mourners

straight to the point in death as in life, the Duke of Edinburgh always insisted he wanted a funeral with minimal fuss.

his wish for what is known as a ‘royal ceremonial funeral’ similar to the Queen Mother’s – rather than a full state funeral – had already been granted.

But the pandemic will have a major impact upon those plans. Last night, the Queen and her senior officials were discussing how best to proceed.

With final approval down to her Majesty, a decision is likely to be announced today.

sources say it is almost certain, however, that any aspect of the arrangements likely to draw a crowd will not take place, meaning the ceremonial aspects will be limited and mourners will number no more than 30.

Under the previous plans – known in the royal household as ‘Forth Bridge’ – his body would have been embalmed immediately and taken to the albert Memorial Chapel by st george’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

the Mail understands that Philip’s coffin was last night at the castle, where the Queen is in residence, most probably resting in her private chapel of worship.

But over the weekend it is likely be moved to the albert Memorial Chapel, which was built by henry Vii as a royal mausoleum.

Philip’s coffin is likely to lie there with little ceremony – resting on two simple wooden platforms called catafalques.

Under pre-Covid plans, it would have been brought to London today by road and taken to st James’s Palace to reside temporarily in the intimate Chapel royal.

the College of arms said yesterday there will be no lying-in-state and Philip’s coffin would lie at rest at Windsor Castle ahead of his funeral in st george’ Chapel, most likely next saturday.

it is likely to have been draped with his personal standard – which bears references to his Danish and greek royal heritage, his Mountbatten roots and Edinburgh title – and a floral wreath from his family.

a vigil by his children – Charles, anne, andrew and Edward – is likely to take place at Windsor.

On the day of his funeral, Philip’s coffin is expected to be carried by bearers from the Queen’s Company, First Battalion grenadier guards. the duke will be placed on a gun carriage belonging to the King’s troop royal horse artillery, drawn by a royal Navy gun crew. the carriage – a personal request by Philip – is the one that carried

Queen Victoria at her funeral in 1901. a planned cortege through Windsor is now unlikely to take place. But inside Windsor Castle, events are likely to be largely the same, but with fewer mourners.

the coffin will be met by a guard of honour from the rifles and a band in horseshoe Cloister, surrounded by houses built in the 15th century for the chapel’s ‘singing men’. twelve singers known as lay clerks still live there, and they will perform during the service, with a bell tolling throughout.

On the grass south of the West gate will be royal Navy pipers.

a bearer party of royal Marines will carry the coffin into st george’s Chapel via the West steps, lined by the household Cavalry, where the Dean of Windsor and the archbishop of Canterbury will wait. the coffin will be taken into the Quire

– the resting place of most of the monarchs buried at the chapel. inside or under the Quire are Edward Vii, henry Vi, Edward iV, george iii, george iV and William iV, henry Viii and Charles i.

Philip’s catafalque will be placed on a black marble slab, which is the entrance to the royal Vault.

the hymns requested by the prince are believed to include his favourite seafarer’s anthem, For those in Peril On the sea. at the end of the service a Psalm and the ‘ashes to ashes’ text will be read as a piper plays a lament. the coffin will be lowered into the royal Vault and will remain there until the Queen dies and they are buried together in the memorial chapel.

the day after the funeral, flags will be brought back to full mast, although the Court will remain in mourning for three more weeks.