Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
The loneliest goodbye
HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021
The Duke of Edinburgh has left us a fair pattern of valiant & true knighthood DEAN OF WINDSOR FUNERAL TRIBUTE TO PRINCE PHILIP
SADNESS for her beloved Philip was captured in the Queen’s eyes yesterday as the tearful royals bid farewell to the Duke of Edinburgh.
Forced to sit alone because of Covid, the monarch bowed in solemn prayer while gunshots rang out at 3pm for a minute’s silence.
As the coffin was carried in Her Majesty cut a solitary yet defiant and dignified figure, alone in her pew. It was the first time she had been seen since Philip, 99, died nine days ago.
Wearing a black face mask edged in white, the Queen led 30 mourners at the funeral in
Windsor
Castle’s St George’s
Chapel. The 50-minute service followed Philip’s precise orders. His simple oak casket was draped in his striking 12ft personal standard and decorated with a white wreath chosen by the Queen. On top was his Admiral of the Fleet Naval Cap and sword given by the Queen’s father King George VI when they married.
An emotional Prince Charles and Princess Anne led family members as they followed Grenadier Guardsmen, who placed the coffin on to the rear of a green Land Rover Defender hearse designed by the Duke himself.
More than 700 members of the Forces took part in the ceremony, marking Philip’s association with the
military and Navy service in World War Two. Haunting music chosen by Philip, including bugle players and stirring naval hymns, rang out from the largely deserted gothic landscape.
Before the coffin emerged from the castle, military bands spaced out across the quadrangle in brilliant sunshine to play I Vow To Thee My Country, Jerusalem and Nimrod.
The awakening Action Stations warship “battle cry” was later sounded by buglers in one of Philip’s final wishes before he departed.
The naval tradition, more at home on a warship, served as a poignant reminder to his family, plagued by scandal and infighting, to “go into battle stations”. Covid rules forced the royals to sit in respective household bubbles – Prince Andrew the closest to Her Majesty, two metres away.
Brothers William and Harry sat opposite each other – their rift put aside at least for a day. They did speak outside the chapel, walking side-byside in a scene which Philip himself would have wished for.
No eulogy was made in keeping with the Duke’s wishes, but the service was further peppered with naval imagery. A prayer by the Dean of Windsor honoured the Duke, saying: “We praise thy holy name for thy servant Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who has left us a fair pattern of valiant and true knighthood. Grant unto him the assurance of thine ancient promise that thou wilt ever be with those who go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters.”
The hymn Eternal Father, Strong To Save rang out in tribute to Philip’s uncle and mentor Lord Mountbatten.
And The Last Post signified a soldier had gone to his grave, while the Queen appeared to allow herself a last look at Philip’s coffin before it was lowered beneath into the royal vault. Even in her darkest hour, the Queen – 95 on Wednesday – hosted a reception for 15 mourners at her State Apartments.