WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

THERE will be no lying in state and no state funeral for Philip, in accordance with his wishes.

His ceremonial royal funeral and burial are expected to take place in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

But the coronavirus pandemic – with the ban on mass gatherings and England in lockdown – means the exact plans for the aftermath of Philip’s death have had to change.

Buckingham Palace will confirm the arrangements for the duke’s funeral in the next day or so.

Here is a look at what might take place over the coming days:

FORTH BRIDGE

The Lord Chamberlain will finalise the long-held master plan – codenamed Forth Bridge – for the duke’s funeral and the days leading up to it with the Queen and set in motion the carefully orchestrated programme of events.

Philip helped draw up the details himself and was determined there should be a minimum of fuss.

Behind the scenes, aides and household staff will already have a contingency plan for use during the coronavirus outbreak, but will be busy adjusting it in line with current advice.

FLAGS

Union flags on royal buildings where the monarch is not in residence will fly at half-mast.

The Royal Standard never flies at half-mast because it represents the sovereign and the United Kingdom, and is a symbol of the continuation of the monarchy.

If the Queen is in residence at a royal palace or castle, the Royal Standard will fly there full-mast as is the tradition.

ROYAL FAMILY’S MOURNING The Queen has to decide whether the royal family enters Court Mourning – dressing in black and using black-edged writing paper – or the alternative, shorter Family Mourning – dressing in black – and how long this will last.

Family Mourning for the Queen Mother in 2002 lasted three weeks.

NATIONAL MOURNING

The government decides on the length of any national mourning. A nationwide two-minute silence could take place, as it did for the Queen Mother on the day of her funeral.

QUEEN MAY ADDRESS NATION The Queen may record a televised speech in tribute to her husband, just as she did for the Queen Mother in 2002, but it will depend on how she is feeling.

BOOKS OF CONDOLENCE These would usually be opened at certain royal residences, town halls across the country, and at British embassies around the world, but this could lead to queues of people, which the government will want to discourage.

It is likely online books of condolence will be set up to allow people to pay tribute.

COFFIN AT REST

Traditionally, the duke’s coffin would have been moved to the Chapel Royal at St James’ Palace to remain at rest for several days, but this is unlikely if there is no longer a London element to the plans.

The Queen retreated to Windsor Castle for the lockdown period so events look set to be focused there instead.

The family is likely to hold a private vigil at some stage around the coffin if restrictions permit.

The duke’s funeral was due to have a strong military presence in recognition of his naval career and his links with the armed forces.

But the prospect of creating a spectacle that could potentially attract hundreds of thousands of people means there is no longer expected to be a military procession in London or any processions through Windsor.

LYING IN STATE

The duke’s coffin will not lie in state.

This has long been reported as the plan but, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, has the added benefit of freeing the government and the Royal Household from a series of logistical nightmares.

The Queen Mother – the last sovereign’s consort to die – lay in state in Westminster Hall, allowing hundreds of thousands of people, who queued for hours, to file past to pay their respects. But Philip always insisted he did not want this honour.

FUNERAL

The duke’s funeral will not be a state funeral; instead it is set to be a ceremonial royal funeral.

This is in keeping with protocol. The Queen Mother was also given a ceremonial royal funeral.

The duke’s funeral is expected to take place at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel eight days after his death.

He is expected to be buried in the Royal Vault in St George’s Chapel on the same day as the funeral.