SILENCE AS PHILIP IS LAID TO REST
THE Royal Family will continue to grieve this week following the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, although the period of national mourning has ended.
After almost 70 years as head of state, the Queen will reign without her husband by her side, and she sat on her own during the funeral service that bore Philip’s touch and celebrated his life and legacy.
The ceremony in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday reflected Philip’s lifelong support of the armed forces, having had a close connection with the Navy for more than 80 years.
The Westcountry came to halt to observe a minute’s silence and ceremonies were held all over the region – including at the Royal William Yard in Plymouth, where the Last Post was sounded to coincide with the start of the funeral.
Philip’s coffin, draped with his personal standard, featured his Admiral of the Fleet naval cap and sword next to a wreath of white flowers chosen by the Queen with a handwritten card from his wife of 73 years.
The Prince of Wales was joined by the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex as they walked behind Philip’s coffin – which was carried by a Land Rover Defender hearse (pictured above) he had helped to design – during the funeral procession.
Following closely behind were the duke’s grandsons the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Cambridge and Peter Phillips, and Vice Admiral Tim Lawrence, the Princess Royal’s husband, and the Queen’s nephew, the Earl of Snowdon.
Harry and William were separated by their cousin, Peter Phillips. After the service, the siblings walked back up the hill to the castle in conversation.
Judi James, author and body language expert, said the royals appeared “surprised at how hard Philip’s death had hit them” during the service. She described the Queen as looking “very vulnerable and frail”, while her son, the Prince of Wales, became “isolated in his own grief” as the funeral continued.
At 3pm on Saturday, the nation observed a minute’s silence in memory of the duke. The country was in national mourning from Philip’s death on April 9 until and including the day of the funeral.
Union flags were flown at halfmast on royal residences, government buildings, armed forces establishments and at UK posts overseas.