Royal funeral a time to reflect on separation at a time of grief

TODAY, at 3pm, the nation will fall silent to remember the Duke of Edinburgh.

It will be a very different royal funeral to those of the past, where crowds lined the streets to pay their respects to the passing entourage.

Instead pandemic restrictions mean that the funeral procession and the ceremony at St George’s Chapel, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, will be a largely private affair, attended by select few members of the royal family and dignitaries.

The Duke of Edinburgh is reported to have requested minimal fuss and has not lain in state prior to the ceremony, where members of the public would have been able to view the Prince’s coffin.

While out of the public eye, the event will be watched by millions on television and undoubtedly be moving and impressive, however pared down. The military spectacle and regal dignity befitting the occasion will provide a fitting tribute to the Duke and his decades of service to Queen and country.

He will be remembered for his devotion to Her Majesty, offering unwavering support over more than 70 years as the longest consort in British history; for his sense of public duty, attending functions even into his 90s; for his military service; for his patronage of countless organisations and charities; and for setting up the successful Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to encourage self-development and adventure among the young.

But he will also be remembered for his strong personality, a no-nonsense patriarch who did not seek sympathy at times of illness and kept his birthdays as low-key as possible, and who strove to modernise the royal family with television appearances. His controversial comments and his witticisms were guaranteed to spice up the dullest of royal engagements.

He also took a lead on environmental issues well before their time – something which undoubtedly brushed off on his son Prince Charles, as well as his talent as a painter.

Despite his supporting role in the shadow of the Queen, the Duke’s strong can-do character shone through, and even those with little appetite for royal matters will find something among his breadth of interests and achievements of interest and inspiration.

While today’s funeral will be a grand affair even without onlookers, the occasion will also reflect bereavements suffered by people up and down the country over the last year through enforced separation at a time of grief. Covid has cruelly denied people the opportunity for comfort as they come to terms with loss, and will do so with the royal family as well.

The Queen will sit alone during the funeral service for her beloved husband and will wear a mask throughout.

Amid the grandeur and ceremony are real people – a wife, children and grandchildren – who have lost a pivotal figure in their lives. There will not be the opportunity to share tearful hugs, just as so many others over the last year have also been forced apart at a time when they most needed to come together.

A poignant moment of reflection for us all.