As the coffin was carried in Her Majesty cut a solitary yet defiant and dignified figure, alone in her pew. It was the first time she had been seen since Philip, 99, died nine days ago.
Wearing a black face mask edged in white, the Queen led 30 mourners at the funeral in Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel. The 50-minute service followed Philip’s precise orders. His simple oak casket was draped in his striking 12ft personal standard and decorated with a white wreath chosen by the Queen. On top was his Admiral of the Fleet Naval Cap and sword given by the Queen’s father King George VI when they married.
An emotional Prince Charles and Princess Anne led family members as they followed Grenadier Guardsmen, who placed the coffin on to the rear of a green Land Rover Defender hearse designed by the Duke himself.
More than 700 members of the Forces took part in the ceremony, marking Philip’s association with the military and Navy service in World War Two. Haunting music chosen by Philip, including bugle players and stirring naval hymns, rang out from the largely deserted gothic landscape.
Before the coffin emerged from the castle, military bands spaced out across the quadrangle in brilliant sunshine to play I Vow To Thee My Country, Jerusalem and Nimrod.
This story is from the April 18, 2021 edition of The Sunday Mirror.
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This story is from the April 18, 2021 edition of The Sunday Mirror.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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