Metro (UK)

UNITED IN GRIEF BUT SO APART

WILLIAM AND HARRY WILL NOT WALK SIDE BY SIDE AT THE DUKE’S FUNERAL

- By DANIEL BINNS

GRIEVING princes William and Harry will not walk side by side behind their beloved grandfathe­r’s coffin at his funeral tomorrow.

The brothers – said by Harry to be ‘on different paths’ since he stepped down from his duty as a senior royal – will instead be separated by their cousin Peter Phillips.

Neither will be in uniform as they walk with the Duke of Edinburgh’s children behind the Land Rover he adapted to carry his coffin from Windsor Castle. Facing her saddest day – mourning her husband of 73 years after his death last Friday at the age of 99 – the Queen was forced to defuse a row by ordering that formal morning coats and medals must be worn.

It spares Harry the embarrassm­ent of being the only senior royal not in uniform after losing his military titles.

It also follows reports Prince Andrew had demanded to dress as an admiral – even though his promotion did not go

ahead because of the row over his links to US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The details emerged as Buckingham Palace revealed the guest list for the ceremony – and confirmed the Queen must sit alone because of Covid restrictio­ns.

All 30 attendees in St George’s Chapel – nearly all family members and relatives – will wear face coverings and must social distance as they pay their respects.

Mourners will not be allowed to sing, so a reduced choir of four features in the service, which has been adapted from Prince Philip’s own plans. Royal Marines will be pall bearers and their buglers will sound Action Stations during the service to reflect Philip’s life-long associatio­n with the Royal Navy. The call is played as a warship goes into battle.

The Duke chose regalia on cushions at the altar, including UK and Commonweal­th medals his RAF wings and Field Marshal’s baton.

Guests include all his children and grandchild­ren, their spouses, and children of the queen’s sister Princess Margaret. Philip’s ten great- grandchild­ren were thought too young. His German great-nephews Bernhard, Hereditary Prince of Baden, Donatus, Prince and Landgrave of Hesse, and cousin Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg will attend.

Also invited is the Countess Mountbatte­n of Burma – formerly Penelope ‘Penny’ Knatchbull – Philip’s carriage-driving partner and one of his closest friends.

The 67-year-old was taught carriage driving by Philip in 1994 and they were often pictured together at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, sometimes riding mini motorcycle­s around the course.

A Palace spokesman said despite Covid: ‘At its heart it is still a family event.’

The Palace last night played down a rift between William and Harry. A spokesman said they would not discuss ‘perception­s of drama’.

Both paid very different tributes to their grandfathe­r this week – William praising his ‘ lifetime of service’, Harry dubbing him ‘master of the barbecue.’

The pair’s difficult relationsh­ip worsened in March when Harry and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, aired allegation­s of royal racism in a US TV interview with Oprah Winfrey. Talks between the brothers afterwards were said to be ‘not productive’. Tearful Charles and his wife Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall yesterday made their first appearance together since his father died to see flowers and read tributes to him. The emotional prince at one point looked up at the sky in thought.

They were at Marlboroug­h House, HQ of the Commonweal­th, where flowers are moved each night from nearby Buckingham Palace to avoid attracting crowds.

 ?? EPA. ?? Dressing down: Harry. lost titles when he. stepped away
EPA. Dressing down: Harry. lost titles when he. stepped away
 ?? REX ?? Formality: William and guests will not wear uniforms
REX Formality: William and guests will not wear uniforms
 ?? KELVIN BRUCE/JIM BENNETT ?? Honour Guards: Grenadiers’ band practise leading procession yesterday
KELVIN BRUCE/JIM BENNETT Honour Guards: Grenadiers’ band practise leading procession yesterday
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Conflict: Our story of brothers’ tributes
Conflict: Our story of brothers’ tributes
 ?? KELVIN BRUCE/JIM BENNETT ?? Defender: Rehearsal features Land Rover which will carry coffin
KELVIN BRUCE/JIM BENNETT Defender: Rehearsal features Land Rover which will carry coffin
 ?? PICTURES: REX/GETTY/PA ?? Paying her respects: The Duchess of Cambridge
PICTURES: REX/GETTY/PA Paying her respects: The Duchess of Cambridge
 ??  ?? Friend and family: Prince Philip with the Countess Mountbatte­n, Prince Edward and Sophie with their daughter Lady Louise, Zara Tindall with husband Mike
Friend and family: Prince Philip with the Countess Mountbatte­n, Prince Edward and Sophie with their daughter Lady Louise, Zara Tindall with husband Mike
 ??  ?? Fond farewell: Princess Alexandra, Peter Phillips and his mother Princess Anne, and Princess Margaret’s children the Earl of Snowdon and Lady Sarah
Fond farewell: Princess Alexandra, Peter Phillips and his mother Princess Anne, and Princess Margaret’s children the Earl of Snowdon and Lady Sarah
 ??  ?? Granddaugh­ter: Beatrice and Edoardo
Granddaugh­ter: Beatrice and Edoardo

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom