The funeral service of late Prince Philip will be held at London’s Windsor Castle on Saturday.
The ceremony will be watched by an expected television audience of millions, with the public urged to stay away because of the global pandemic.
The Duke of Edinburgh — described by royals as “the grandfather of the nation” — died on April 9, aged 99, just weeks after spending more than a month in hospital for treatment of a heart condition and an infection.
Britain’s longest-serving royal consort was an almost constant presence at the Queen’s side during her record-breaking reign that began in 1952, as Britain rebuilt from World War II and as its global empire began to unravel.
His death, after 73 years of marriage, has left a “huge void” in her life, the couple’s second son, Prince Andrew, said last weekend.
At the service, the Dean of Windsor, David Conner, will pay tribute to Philip’s “unwavering loyalty” to the Queen, who turns 95 next week, the country and the Commonwealth, as well as his “courage, fortitude and faith”.
Government coronavirus regulations have forced hasty revisions to “Operation Forth Bridge”, the long-rehearsed funeral plans for former Royal Navy commander Philip.
But the stripped-back ceremonial funeral will still feature members of the armed services he was associated with lining a short procession route through the immaculately trimmed grounds of the castle, whose history dates back 1,000 years.
His coffin will be borne to Windsor’s historic St George’s Chapel on a bespoke Land Rover hearse which he designed himself, repainted in military green.
A minute’s silence will be observed across the country on the stroke of 3:00 pm (1400 GMT) before the funeral service begins.
