Prince Philip funeral procession: What route will the coffin take to St George’s Chapel?

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THE QUEEN will bid a final farewell to her beloved husband the Duke of Edinburgh today, Saturday, April 17.

Prince Philip died at the age of 99 on Friday, April 9, and will get his dying wish of a small “no-fuss” funeral, due to restrictions in force because of the ongoing Covid pandemic.

Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates

Prince Philip’s funeral will be held at Windsor Castle on Saturday, April 17

What route will the Prince Philip’s coffin take to St George’s Chapel?

Prince Philip’s body is currently resting in Windsor’s private chapel.

His coffin was moved to the state entrance of the castle today on Saturday, April 17, by a bearer party from the Grenadier Guards – the elite Queen’s Company regiment at Windsor, of which Philip was Colonel for 42 years.

The service will begin with a ceremonial procession, setting off from the state entrance at 2.45pm with the Prince of Wales and senior members of Royal Family following on foot behind Philip’s coffin.

The procession will move alongside the Round Tower and head to the west steps of St George’s chapel, with the route down to Horseshoe Cloister lined by armed personnel.

The National Anthem will be played as the coffin enters Horseshoe Cloister.

A modified Land Rover – which Philip helped to design – will be used to transport the duke’s coffin and before this, it will be serviced, tested and buffed.

 

 

It is expected to arrive at the steps of St George’s Chapel at 2.53pm, where it will be met by the Guard of Honour and band from The Rifles.

A bearing party from the Royal Marines will carry the coffin up the steps where it will pause for the national minute of silence at 3pm.

What will happen on the day of the funeral?

Prince Philip’s coffin will be draped with his personal standard, and decorated with a wreath of flowers and his Naval cap and sword.

During the procession to St George’s Chapel, guns will be fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn while bells are rung in the Curfew Tower.

Following this, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Dean of Windsor will receive the coffin at the top of the steps.

Due to the coronavirus restrictions, only 30 people will be allowed inside the chapel for the funeral service.

The service will begin when the coffin enters the chapel.

 

There will be no public procession as a result of the Covid restrictions, and the entire service will take place in the grounds of the castle.

However, the Grenadier Guards and others from The Foot Guards, as well as the Royal Marines, the Household Cavalry, Royal Gurkha Rifles and a Royal Naval Piping Party of 1 Chief Petty Officer and 5 Ratings, are just some of those who will be taking part in the grounds of Windsor.

While senior royals are due to walk behind Prince Philip’s coffin, the Queen is expected to travel separately to the service.

A minute’s silence will be held across the nation, co-ordinated with the one at 3pm at the start of the funeral ceremony.

Prince Philip’s funeral day will receive extensive TV coverage both in the UK and around the world, with millions expected to tune in as their is no public procession.

The day will be covered around the globe on TV with a live broadcast on BBC, while ITV is set to air a special show titled Prince Philip – A Royal Funeral, presented by Tom Bradby and Julie Etchingham.

TV cameras will not be allowed inside the chapel, unlike for royal weddings.

The Royal Family have asked the public not to travel to Windsor Castle for Prince Philip’s funeral and instead pay their respects in the “safest way possible” from home.