PRINCE PHILIP’S “unwavering loyalty” to the Queen and “courage, fortitude and faith”was hailed at his funeral on Saturday afternoon.
The Duke of Edinburgh stood by the monarch’s side for more than 70 years, dedicating his life to the nation and service.
Read our Royal Family live blog for the latest updates
Duke of Edinburgh during the Queen’s Birthday parade in 2011 also known as Trooping the Colour
The Order of Service for the funeral of Prince Philip
The 99-year-old was laid to rest at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, with the Royal Family gathering to bid farewell to the Queen’s “rock”.
Prince Harry has returned from the US to be with his family, with just 30 mourners allowed to attend the service due to Covid.
However, the funeral still followed Prince Philip’s wishes – and hailed his “courage, fortitude and faith”.
The Queen also paused at his coffin to bid her husband of more than seven decades farewell as he is laid to rest.
No members of the Royal Family read lessons or gave readings at the funeral and there was no eulogy.
Her Majesty was also sitting alone during the funeral due to strict coronavirus rules.
Members of the Royal Family had to be at least two metres apart during the service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
No sermon was delivered during the ceremonial royal service, in keeping with Philip’s wishes, while his body was taken to the funeral in a Land Rover he helped to design.
His love of the sea and long association with the Royal Navy permeated the Order of Service, which was released by Buckingham Palace ahead of the proceedings.
Music chosen by the duke included the hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” – traditionally associated with seafarers and the maritime armed services.
The Dean of Windsor, in the Bidding, also paid tribute to Philip’s “kindness, humour and humanity.”
“With grateful hearts, we remember the many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us,” he said of Philip, who died aged 99 Friday, April 9.
“We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the Nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith.
“Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humour and humanity.”
Members of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery rehearse on the Long Walk in front of Windsor Castle
The funeral took place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor
Flowers sit outside St George’s Chapel, following the death of Prince Philip
What were the hymns and readings at Prince Philip’s funeral?
‘Eternal Father, Strong to Save’
Music chosen by the duke includes the hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” – traditionally associated with seafarers and the maritime armed services.
Written in 1860 by William Whiting, it was inspired by the dangers of the sea described in Psalm 107.
It was also sung at the funeral of Philip’s beloved uncle, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, who was murdered by the IRA in 1979.
The funeral will take place on Saturday
Lesson by Dean of Windsor
A lesson by the Dean of Windsor was read out during the 50-minute service.
The reading tells of “those who sail the sea tell stories of its dangers, which astonish all who hear them; in it are strange and wonderful creatures, all kinds of living things and huge sea monsters”.
The Jubilate
Following the Lesson by the Dean of Windsor was The Jubilate written by Benjamin Britten and was written at the request of The Duke of Edinburgh.
Second Lesson
The Second Lesson was read by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Psalm 104
Funeral guests also heard the choir sing Psalm 104 which was set to music by guitarist and composer William Lovelady.
Originally composed as a cantata in three movements, it was first sung in honour of the duke’s 75th birthday in 1996.
Military honours
Philip’s close association with the military showed at the funeral.
Members of the Armed Forces took part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral to “honour their special relationship” with Philip, a spokesman said.
The Last Post was sounded by buglers of the Royal Marines and, after a period of silence, the Reveille was played by the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry.
Philip enjoyed an active naval career between 1939 and 1951 and was a veteran of the Second World War.
Detachments drawn from units that had a link with Philip were positioned on the grass in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle.
