Public urged to pay respects from home
Royal Borough: Authorities warn against non-essential trips
The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral will take place in Windsor on Saturday, but the council and police have warned people against making non-essential trips to the town for the service.
Buckingham Palace announced at the weekend that The Duke’s funeral will take place on April 17 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, at 3pm.
The Queen’s husband passed away aged 99 on Friday and a larger police presence is expected in Windsor on the day of the service.
The televised funeral will be a ceremonial royal funeral, rather than a state one, and will be preceded by a procession inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Positioned in the quadrangle at the castle will be detachments drawn from His Royal Highness’s military special relationships.
The Duke’s coffin has been resting at Windsor Castle, covered with His Royal Highness’s Personal Standard and dressed with a wreath of flowers, the Palace said.
It added in a statement: “His Royal Highness’s coffin will be carried in a purpose-built Land Rover – which The Duke was involved in the design of – flanked by military pall bearers, in a small ceremonial procession from the state entrance to St George’s Chapel, for the funeral service.
“Members of the Royal Family and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Household will walk behind the coffin from the quadrangle, down Chapel Hill and into Horseshoe Cloister.
The funeral service will begin with a national minute’s silence at [3pm].
“The service will be attended by Her Majesty The Queen and members of the Royal Family.
“The coffin, carried by a Bearer Party found by the Royal Marines, will be received at the top of the west steps of St George’s Chapel by the
Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Naval cap and sword will be placed on the coffin ahead of the service and His Royal Highness’s Insignia will be laid on the altar of the chapel. His Royal Highness will be interred in the Royal Vault in St George’s Chapel.”
Many thousands of people would normally have been expected to watch the Duke’s funeral in Windsor.
But the public is urged not to attend in light of the ongoing public health situation and instead, pay their respects from the safety of their own homes.