The timing of Philip’s death, with Covid-19 restrictions still in place in the UK, means the country’s public expressions of grief will be curtailed.
The royal household and the British government have urged the public not to gather flowers or lie outside the royal residences, as has happened in the past. Huge banks of bouquets were left by benefactors outside Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle and elsewhere after the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
“Although it is an extremely difficult time for many people, we ask the public not to gather at royal residences, and we must continue to follow public health advice, especially to avoid meetings in large groups and to reduce travel. , “said a cabinet spokesman. statement.
The funeral arrangements for Philip are expected to be confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Saturday, according to a royal source. CNN understands that plans for royal funerals have been around for many years, but the ceremonial elements had to be changed due to the Covid-19 restrictions in the UK.
The College of Arms, which oversees many ceremonial aspects of the royal family’s work, said in a statement Friday that the funeral in St.
The statement read that the ceremony would not be a state funeral and that a liar did not precede it, which could see thousands of members of the public queuing to see his coffin.
“The funeral arrangements have been revised in the light of the prevailing circumstances arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and it is regrettably requested that members of the public do not attempt to attend or participate in any of the events of the funeral. do not take, “the statement added.
More than 200,000 people turned up at the coffin of the Queen Mother, who was Philip’s royal predecessor when she was laid to rest in the state in April 2002, and thousands lined the streets to pay their respects as her funeral procession passed .
Such a mass expression of sadness is unthinkable in a time of pandemic. Signs of a people in mourning, however, will still be clear. Players in the English Premier League will wear black bracelets, and ‘there will be a minute of silence before kick-off at all Premier League matches … all weekend’, the organization announced.
The bells of London’s Westminster Abbey, where Prince Philip married Queen Elizabeth more than 70 years ago, rang in his honor on Friday night.
The British Ministry of Defense wrote in a statement saluting the gun from noon local time. “Across the UK, in Gibraltar and on HM ships at sea, salute batteries will fire 40 rounds per minute 40 minutes per minute,” it wrote.
Philip’s death comes across the country and the world mourns the loss of loved ones during the Covid pandemic.
Tribute to a service life
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said Prince Philip would be ‘greatly missed’ in a statement following the news of Harry’s grandfather’s death.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute in a televised statement, saying the duke had “earned the affection of generations here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world” and lived by an ethic of service.
“Like the expert coachman he was, he helped manage the royal family and the monarchy so that it remains the institution that is indisputably essential to the balance of our national road. He was an environmentalist and a proponent of the natural world, long before it was fashionable, “Johnson said.” With his Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, he has shaped and inspired the lives of many young people. “
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that “the whole nation will be united in grief at the death of Prince Philip, adding that he should be recognized” as a remarkable and steadfast support of the Queen over so many years “, but also” in his own right celebrated as a man of foresight, determination and courage. ‘
Tributes to the duke have also poured in from all over the world, including the Commonwealth countries in India, Australia and Canada. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had a “leading career in the military and was at the forefront of many community service initiatives. May his soul rest in peace.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Philip was “a generation we will never see again.” Justin Trudeau of Canada said: “Prince Philip was a man of great purpose and conviction, motivated by a sense of duty to others. He will be lovingly remembered as a constant in the life of our Queen. “
US President Joe Biden has said that Philip “would like to dedicate himself to the people of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and his family,” and that his legacy will live on “not only through his family but also in all charitable work which he formed. “
‘Constant power and guide’
Philip married the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947, following prominent service in the Royal Navy during World War II. Together they had four children – Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward – eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
When Elizabeth ascended the throne in February 1952, following the death of her father, George VI, Philip’s lifetime of service as a royal partner began.
Over the decades, Philip has regularly accompanied the Queen on royal engagements and given thousands of his own solo performances. He once referred to himself as ‘the world’s most experienced plaque revelation’, while the queen praised him as her ‘constant power and guidance’.
Philip held public appearances until his 90s and only retired in August 2017.
He has only been seen in public regularly from that point on, especially during the wedding in Windsor Castle of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018, and during the wedding for Princess Eugenie in October 2018 and for Princess Beatrice in July 2020.
CNN’s Max Foster, Lauren Moorhouse and David Wilkinson contributed to this report.