Pride and joy at the centre of attention

FROM the moment it came into view at the state entrance of Windsor Castle, the open Land Rover bearing the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin captured the world’s attention. For eight minutes it remained centre stage as it wound its way to St George’s Chapel.

It was how Prince Philip would have wished it – he had chosen the hearse in 2003 and was still tinkering with the design as recently as 2019, at the age of 98. It was flanked by eight senior military figures, and followed by a procession led by the Prince of Wales.

Modifications were made as they occurred to the duke over the years. Philip asked for the original Belize Green bodywork to be changed to Dark Bronze Green, the colour for military Land Rovers, and designed the open rear section to hold his coffin in place with rubber “stops” on silver metal pins.

Nothing was left to chance – an identical vehicle stood ready in case of mishaps – and the procession arrived in the castle quadrangle to meet the duke’s horse-drawn carriage, which had provided him with competitive thrills into his 80s.

The duke’s racing hat, whip and gloves were laid out on his empty seat, along with the red sugar lump pot from which he used to give his ponies rewards after a drive. When the Land Rover reached the chapel’s west steps, the Royal Navy piping party piped the “Still” and the pallbearers took over, shouldering the coffin.

Even the longestconsidered plans could not have anticipated the restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Philip had originally intended that the Land Rover (below) would transport his coffin 35km from Wellington Arch in central London to Windsor, but military parades had to be cancelled.