Funeral will praise Duke’s loyalty to Queen and nation

THE Duke of Edinburgh’s “unwavering loyalty” to the Queen and “courage, fortitude and faith” will be hailed at his funeral today.

No sermon will be delivered during the ceremonial royal service, in keeping with Philip’s wishes.

His love of the sea and long association with the Royal Navy permeates the Order of Service, which has been released by Buckingham Palace ahead of proceedings.

Music chosen by the duke includes the hymn Eternal Father, Strong to Save – traditionally associated with seafarers and the maritime armed services.

Written in 1860 by William Whiting, it was inspired by the dangers of the sea described in Psalm 107.

It was also sung at the funeral of Philip’s beloved uncle, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, who was murdered by the IRA in 1979.

The Dean of Windsor, in the Bidding, will also pay tribute to Philip’s “kindness, humour and humanity”.

“With grateful hearts, we remember the many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us,” he will say of Philip, who died aged 99 last Friday.

“We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the Nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith. Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humour and humanity.”

Other elements of the deeply religious service will include: a psalm which Philip requested should be set to music and which was first sung in honour of his 75th birthday; a lesson by the Dean of Windsor, which tells of “those who sail the sea tell stories of its dangers, which astonish all who hear them; in it are strange and wonderful creatures, all kinds of living things and huge sea monsters”; a Jubilate which was written for St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, at Philip’s request.

No members of the royal family will read lessons or give readings and there is no eulogy.

It is not common for eulogies to take place at royal funerals or for family members to do readings.

The lack of sermon for the duke perhaps fits in with his desire to get things done in a speedy, efficient manner. His grandson the Duke of Sussex said as he paid tribute earlier in the week: “I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, ‘Oh do get on with it!”’

As final preparations were put in place at Windsor ahead of the proceedings which begin at 3pm with a national minute’s silence, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their teenage daughter Lady Louise Windsor gathered to view flowers left by the public and national leaders outside the chapel.

Among the tributes were wreaths bearing messages from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Royal Navy.

Mr Johnson’s words on behalf of the nation read: “In grateful memory of a man to whom the nation owes more than words can say.”

The PM is not attending to allow as many royal family members as possible to join the congregation – limited to 30 under Covid-19 rules.

Meanwhile, the duke’s love of carriage-driving will be a poignant feature on the day, with his carriage, which he designed himself, and ponies making an appearance.

The polished dark green fourwheeled carriage will stand in the Quadrangle of the castle as the duke’s coffin is carried past in a procession on a Land Rover hearse.

The songs will be performed by a choir of just three choristers and one soprano, with the congregation forbidden from singing. Heathrow Airport said no planes will land or take off during the silence.

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