Online option for guests who can’t attend funeral because of Covid

MEMBERS of the Royal family and close friends who are unable to attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral will be able to watch it on a live stream rather than relying on TV coverage.

The guests, who would have attended the funeral service had it not been for Covid-19 restrictions, will be given login details to watch the service online instead.

The live stream is thought to be the same footage used by the BBC, ITV and other broadcasters but will not include any live commentary or punditry.

Guests who wish to mourn the Duke’s death and celebrate his life without the possible intrusion of broadcasters’ running commentary will be able to do so if they choose.

The Duchess of Sussex, who has remained in the US where she is heavily pregnant and been advised not to travel, is the most prominent guest unable to attend. She will have the option of watching it on a live stream.

Buckingham Palace is also hoping to broadcast the funeral, again without commentary, on its website. Negotiations are understood to be continuing with broadcasters over a deal that would effectively turn the Royal Household’s online operation into a television channel for the duration of the funeral.

The funeral, taking place in St George’s Chapel inside Windsor Castle on Saturday afternoon, will be beamed around the world. Under Covid-19 rules, just 30 guests are allowed to attend. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, has said he will not go, so that close family and friends can attend in his place.

The live streaming of funerals has become commonplace during the pandemic because of restrictions on numbers and the Royal family have not wanted to be treated any differently.

The final guest list will be studied by royal watchers as an indication of which members are in favour, and which are not.

After the Duchess of Sussex’s stinging attack on the Royal family and household in her interview with Oprah Winfrey, the US chat show host, only a month ago, there is likely to be huge relief she is unable to attend because of her pregnancy.