Human Interest

UK bids farewell to Prince Philip, royals attend small funeral service

London, Apr 17 (EFE).- The United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth II and close royal family members on Saturday bid a final farewell to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was laid to rest at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Philip, who was married to the Queen for 73 years, died on April 9 at the age of 99.

Only 30 guests were able to attend the funeral service due to the restrictions in place in the UK for the coronavirus pandemic. All wore face masks and maintained a social distance inside the chapel.

The service, which was broadcast live on TV, was delivered by David John Conner, the Dean of Windsor, and Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

It was preceded by a short funeral procession through the grounds of Windsor Castle involving hundreds of members of all branches of the British Armed Forces.

Philip’s coffin was transported by an all-terrain Land Rover — which had been adapted according to his specifications — followed by his four children, Prince Charles, the first in line to the throne, Prince Edward, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew, and flanked by members of the Armed Forces.

The consort of the British monarch served with the Royal Navy in World War II and maintained a close relationship with the military throughout his life.

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and his brother Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, joined the procession. The men wore black mourning suits adorned with military medals, rather than the traditional military uniforms.

Queen Elizabeth II wore black, including a black face mask. Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Camilla, the Duchess of Wales, were also in attendance.

The nation held a minute’s silence as the coffin was taken up the stairs to St. George’s Chapel by military pallbearers.

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