A unique and moving farewell to the man who supported Queen Elizabeth II for more than seven decades has reunited his grandsons in a grief the Queen herself had to endure alone.

Of all the remarkable images to emerge from a day of mourning and celebration — Prince Philip’s coffin resting on a classic Land Rover he had custom built, Princes Harry and William together again, a small choir dwarfed by their cavernous surrounds —  the site of the Queen seated alone in the pews of St George’s Chapel was perhaps the most poignant.

Her solitude was remarkable on a day dedicated to the man who was always by her side throughout 73 years of marriage.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II looks on as she sits alone in St. Georges Chapel during the funeral of Prince Philip, the man who had been by her side for 73 years, at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021. Prince Philip died April 9 at the age of 99 after 73 years of marriage to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. (Jonathan Brady/Pool via AP)
Queen Elizabeth II looks on as she sits alone. (Jonathan Brady/Pool via AP) (AP)

It was a funeral the likes of which Britain had never seen, replete with the pomp and splendour befitting a royal — even one who reportedly wanted a send-off with a minimum of fuss — but constricted by the coronavirus pandemic still gripping the UK and the world.

Flowers left by members of the public dotted the ground and bright, blue skies shone over Windsor Castle as hundreds of troops marched in to stud the great, green lawn in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on April 9, aged 99.

Heads bowed and the band began to play as Philip’s beloved Land Rover, which he had custom-designed himself before it was converted into a hearse for his farewell, came through the gates into the Quadrangle.

Prince Philip's funeral
Members of the Royal Marines Band and Sailors of the Royal Navy bow their heads in respect. (Getty)

A royal salute echoed across the grounds before the prince’s coffin, adorned with his personal standard, naval cap and sword was borne by armed forces officers, feet crunching loudly on gravel, and slowly lowered onto the vehicle.

The royal procession, led by Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Andrew and Prince Edward, faces set, walking in unison but socially distanced, followed the Land Rover towards St George’s Chapel.

Prince Philip's funeral
Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Earl of Snowdon David Armstrong-Jones and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence follow The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with His Royal Highnesss Personal Standard. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Minute Guns fired, the Curfew Tower Bell tolled and a steady drumbeat marked the slow and solemn walk to Philip’s final resting place

After so many years standing by the Queen’s side, and in her shadow, the prince’s final journey placed him at the head of the family.

Princes Harry and William, whose relationship has reportedly been fractured since Harry quit royal duties and moved to California, notably did not walk side-by-side, but were seen chatting amicably after the service.

Prince Philip's funeral
The Duke’s grandchildren Prince William, Peter Phillips and Prince Harry, with his son in law, Sir Timothy Laurence husband of his daughter, Princess Anne. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, speaks with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, near Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, after the funeral. (Nine News)

The Queen, alone in her Bentley at the foot of the procession, was the first to enter the chapel, pausing briefly as one final shot rang out around the grounds.

She cut a solemn figure, dressed all in black with a white-trimmed face mask, seated alone, head bowed, in the almost empty chapel.

Then, at the stroke of 3pm (midnight AEST), the grounds and the nation fell silent. The pallbearers, all distinguished military officers, paused their ascent of the West Steps, harsh shadows cast on the ground by the bright sunlight.

One by one, the remaining royals replaced their solemn, black face masks as they filed into the chapel, the doors closed and Royal Navy Piping Party began to play.

Prince Philip's funeral
Peter Phillips, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Andrew, Duke of York put on facemasks as they enter the chapel. (Getty)

The Queen, accompanied in grieving by her closest family members but very much alone inside, was seen with her head bowed, her face barely visible underneath a sombre black hat.

“We are here today in St George’s Chapel to commit into the hands of God the soul of his servant, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the Dean of Windsor said.

“With grateful hearts, we remember the many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us. 

“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.”

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales walks behind The Duke of Edinburghs coffin, covered with His Royal Highnesss Personal Standard, during the Ceremonial Procession during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was creat

Prince Philip’s royal funeral

In the Nave, away from the seated congregation, the cavernous space was starkly empty as a choir of just four singers performed poignant hymns selected by the duke himself.

Leading a prayer, the dean said: “Grant unto him the assurance of thine ancient promise that thou wilt ever be with those who go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters.”

As Philip’s coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, Royal Marine buglers sounded Action Stations, an alarm that alerts sailors to prepare for battle. 

Its inclusion, after the traditional bugle call of The Last Post, was a personal request from Philip.

He was placed in the vault alongside the remains of 24 other royals, including three kings of England but it will likely not be his permanent resting place. 

After the queen’s death, she and Philip are expected to be buried in the Royal Burial Ground on the Frogmore Estate close to Windsor Castle.

Coronavirus restrictions meant instead of the 800 mourners expected in the longstanding funeral plans, only 30 were allowed inside the chapel, including the queen, her four children and her eight grandchildren.



This content first appear on 9news

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