The funeral for Prince Philip, who died on Friday at the age of 99 will be held at Windsor Castle on April 17th, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
In a press release issued Saturday, the Palace said the service will be preceded by a Ceremonial Procession inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Philip’s coffin is currently resting in the private chapel at the castle, where it will remain until the funeral.
“Union Flags flying at half-mast at Royal Residences will remain at half-mast until the day after the Funeral,” the statement read. “It is the Queen’s wish that the Royal Family will observe two weeks of Royal Mourning, starting yesterday.”
A palace spokesman speaking on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press, the funeral service will be held in line with U.K. COVID-19 guidelines. That means the number of mourners will be limited to 30.
A palace spokesman also confirmed to Reuters that Meghan Markle, who is married to Prince Harry and is pregnant with their second child, will not attend the funeral. Prince Harry will attend.
The couple moved to California in 2020 after a short stint in Canada.
A spokesman for the Palace told the BBC: “Whilst this is a time of sadness and mourning, the coming days will be an opportunity to celebrate a remarkable life.”
Buckingham Palace announced Philip’s death in a statement released on Friday.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the statement read. “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
Philip, who was 99, died just two months before he was to celebrate his 100th birthday.
Last month, he underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London.
He spent more than a month in the hospital “resting” and recuperating before returned to Windsor.
Philip was the Queen’s consort for nearly 70 years.
A consort’s main role is to provide companionship and “moral and practical support” to the Monarch.
In a speech to mark their 50th wedding anniversary, Queen Elizabeth said Philip has “quite simply been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”
Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Royal Navy during World War II.
He joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1939 and won mentions during the war for his service aboard the battleship HMS Valiant at Cape Matapan, on Greece’s Peloponnesian peninsula. He rose to the rank of commander before he retired from active duty.
Two years after the war ended, Philip married the future queen at Westminster Abbey when she was 21 and he was 26. His naval career came to an abrupt end when King George VI died in 1952 and Elizabeth became queen.
According to the Palace, Philip’s cap and sword will be placed on the coffin ahead of the service and his insignia will be laid on the altar of the chapel.
“At the conclusion of the service, His Royal Highness will be interred in the Royal Vault in St. George’s Chapel,” the statement read.
On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement saying Philip was “a man of great service to others.”
“First as a decorated naval officer and later as a dedicated leader in the areas of community engagement and philanthropy – the Duke always sought out the best in people and challenged them to strive for greater heights,” the statement read.
He continued, saying Philip was “a man of great purpose and conviction” who was “motivated by a sense of duty to others.”
“A family has lost a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather,” the statement said. “The thoughts of Canadians are with Queen Elizabeth II and the members of the Royal Family as they mourn such a significant loss.”
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, issued a brief statement acknowledging the death of his grandfather Prince Philip on Friday.
“In loving memory of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh,” the statement read.
This screenshot from the Archewell Foundation website shows an initial statement about the death of Prince Philip on Apr. 9, 2021.
“Thank you for your service … You will be greatly missed.”
–With files from Global News’ Rachael D’Amore and The Associated Press
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