Princes to walk apart in procession

THE Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex will not walk shoulder to shoulder when they join senior royals in the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral procession.

William and Harry, whose troubled relationship has been well documented, will be separated by cousin Peter Phillips as they walk in a line behind their grandfather’s coffin tomorrow.

When the coffin is taken into St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, William will move ahead of his brother as members of the royal family arrive in pairs.

Details of Philip’s funeral have been released by Buckingham Palace and it has been confirmed the Queen – like all 30 guests invited to the service – will wear a facemask.

She will sit by herself in the quire of St George’s Chapel, with all mourners following Covid guidelines and staying socially distanced.

Philip was the guiding force behind his funeral arrangements and, reflecting his life-long association with the Royal Navy, buglers of the Royal Marines will sound Action Stations during the service.

It is played on a warship to signal all hands should go to battle stations and is sometimes featured at funerals of naval men.

A reduced choir of four singers will feature during the service and the guests will not sing.

Among the guests are the Duchess of Cornwall, all of the duke’s grandchildren and their spouses, the children of the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret, and three of Philip’s German relatives – Bernhard, the Hereditary Prince of Baden; Donatus, Prince and Landgrave of Hesse; and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.