‘Eloquent solution’: Harry ‘spared embarrassment’ at Prince Philip’s funeral 

The Queen has banned one particular item from Prince Philip’s funeral for Prince Harry’s sake, as royals paid tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen has spared Prince Harry the embarrassment of not being allowed to wear a military uniform by banning the outfits from Prince Philip’s funeral.

The Duke of Sussex, 36, had faced the humiliating prospect of having to wear a suit while others in attendance wore formal uniforms, after he lost his honorary ranks due to Megxit.

The Sun reports that there was also “serious navy displeasure” brewing over Prince Andrew potentially wearing an admiral’s uniform.

Queen Elizabeth is said to have personally stepped in, ordering those in attendance to wear a suit and tie.

“It’s the most eloquent solution to the problem,” a source told The Sun.

Prince Harry and Prince William will not wear military uniforms Prince Philip’s funeral. Picture: Getty Images

‘Eloquent solution’. The Queen is said to have barred royals from wearing uniforms to the service. Picture: Getty Images

Prince Andrew reportedly wanted to wear an Admiral’s uniform to Prince Philip’s funeral ... but the Queen has stepped in to stop it. Picture: AFP

Harry, an Afghanistan war veteran who saw front line action, was unlikely to have been allowed to wear his uniform after he was refused the honour of having a wreath laid on his behalf on Remembrance Sunday.

A scandal-plagued Prince Andrew drew unwanted attention when he reportedly “demanded” that he wear the uniform of an Admiral, despite being dumped from royal duties because of his friendship with late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The controversy over the royal family’s funeral outfits has been an unnecessary distraction in the lead up to Prince Philip’s funeral, to be held on Saturday.

Philip, who was a Second World War hero, rejected a State Funeral, which would have been attended by world leaders, for a simple affair at Windsor Castle.

Queen Eliazbeth and Prince Philip, pictured in 2018. Picture: AFP

The Queen’s husband, who was tipped to become the head of the British navy before his career was cut short when his wife ascended to the throne, included a heavy military theme in his personally-approved funeral plans.

Final details of the preparations are due to be revealed on Friday, Australian time.

However, the dress code is likely to be confirmed ahead of time by the royal family, who were also expected to hold a dress rehearsal for the service today.

Meantime, Kate Middleton has released a new photo of Prince Philip with seven of his great grandchildren.

Kate’s photo. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, with their great grandchildren in 2018. Picture: The Duchess of Cambridge via Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge posted the portrait that she took of Prince Philip in 2018, featuring Prince George, the Queen, Prince Louis as a baby, and Princess Charlotte.

They posed with Savannah and Isla Phillips (the children of Peter and Autumn Phillips) and Zara and Mike Tindall’s daughter’s Lena and Mia – grandchildren of Princess Anne.

“The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh surrounded by seven of their great-grandchildren at Balmoral Castle in 2018,” the caption on Kate and William’s Instagram account stated.

Kate also shared an image of her with Prince Philip, the Queen, Prince William, and Prince George and Princess Charlotte taken at Balmoral in Scotland in 2015.

“Today we share, along with Members of @theroyalfamily, photographs of The Duke of Edinburgh, remembering him as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather,” the caption read.

‘WE ALL MISS YOU’

Princess Eugenie has posted previously unseen photos of her grandfather Prince Philip to her Instagram account, and accompanied the pics with a touching message just days before the royal’s funeral.

“Dearest Grandpa,” writes Eugenie. “We all miss you. You would be so touched by all the tributes that have been shared with me the past few days.

“People remember sitting next to you at a dinner, or shaking your hand once, who remember you saying hello in passing, or remember how much their DofE award meant to them.

“I remember learning how to cook, how to paint, what to read. I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the navy.

Princess Eugenie has posted photos on her Instagram account in tribute to Prince Philip, her “grandpa”. Picture: Instagram

“I remember incinerating the sausages and you swooping in to save the day.

“I remember your hands and your laugh and your favourite beer.

“I will remember you in your children, your grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“Thank you for your dedication and love for us all and especially Granny, who we will look after for you.

“With all my love, Eugenie”.

It comes ahead of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, which will be held on Saturday as a scaled-back royal affair with just 30 mourners in attendance due to COVID-19 rules.

According to The Sun, police are taking no chances with a ring of steel shielding the royal family and Windsor, where Philip will be laid to rest.

Among the security measures are extra armed police and uniformed officers on patrol in the historic town leading up to the event.

Armed police have been seen on the Long Walk as the public come to pay their respects to Philip after his death aged 99.

A mounted regiment of the British Army exercise their horses along The Long Walk, leading to Windsor Castle in Windsor Great Park, west of London. Picture: AFP

Thames Valley Police said the “high visibility patrols” are to “help provide reassurance and keep local residents, businesses and visitors safe”.

The force revealed they will be deploying covert security tactics on Saturday when the duke is honoured with a funeral at St George’s Chapel.

But beefed-up policing is already visible on the streets with three days to go still.

Dog searches have been taking place across the town – including in phone boxes, drains and bins.

Increased vehicle checks will also be carried out using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), which flag suspicious drivers who can the be stopped and searched.

Checks will be made on lorries too – including loads, licences and driver hours in the run-up to the event and on the day.

Messages amid floral tributes near Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London following the April 9 death of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Picture: AFP

Thames Valley Police also confirmed anti-terror Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) barriers are being erected around the town.

The huge concrete blocks are aimed at stopping van rampages similar to the London Bridge terror atrocity in 2017.

The public have been warned to stay away from the event, which is taking place behind the walls of Windsor Castle.

They have also been urged not to leave flowers for the duke and instead told to sign online book of condolence if they wish to pay their respects.

Buckingham Palace has reinforced the official advice and told wellwishers to watch the funeral on TV as there is no public access anyway.

Members of the public outside Windsor Castle. They have been urged to stay away from Philip’s funeral. Picture: AFP

Assistant Chief Constable Ben Snuggs, strategic commander for the funeral, said: “We understand that people will want to pay their respects to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and to the Royal Family during this time of national mourning.

“However, we would ask that the public respect the Royal Household’s wishes and the Government advice by minimising travel and not gathering in groups.

“Instead, we would ask people to use the online book of condolence which has been set up by the Royal Household.

“There will continue to be a police presence in Windsor in the lead up to and on the day of the funeral as part of our measures to ensure public health and safety and protective security.

“Our thoughts remain with the Royal Family and all those affected at this very difficult time.”

HARRY AND WILLS BREAK SILENCE

The sympathies of her family, Britain and the Commonwealth are with the Queen, but she

faces the prospect of having to sit on her own during Prince Philip’s funeral.

Coronavirus restrictions have eased in the UK this week, but strict social distancing rules remain in place for funerals and other indoor events.

No exceptions will be made for the Queen, who stunned royal watchers with her return to official duties this week just four days after the Duke of Edinburgh’s death.

The 94-year-old will sit on her own on Saturday, with mourners forced to keep at least two metres apart.

A wellwisher arrives to deliver a floral tribute to Prince Philip, at Windsor Castle in Windsor. Picture: AFP

There were also questions as to whether hymns would be allowed to be sung by the congregation inside St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the duke will be farewelled.

“We’re going to follow all the funeral guidelines,” a Buckingham Palace source said.

The Queen is already back to her royal duties, marking the retirement of her senior staffer who organised “Operation Forth Bridge”, the codename for Prince Philip’s funeral.

This week, the monarch released a series of photographs honouring her late husband, including a shot of him meeting crowds in Melbourne.

Meantime, Prince William, 38, has spoken on the phone to his estranged brother Prince Harry, 36, who is back in London for the funeral.

The brothers’ bitter battle – fuelled by Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey – had threatened to overshadow the funeral proceedings.

Prince Harry was self-isolating so he can take a COVID test and be released for Saturday’s funeral, where mourners will be required to wear masks.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been seen as a potential mediator, even though Meghan threw her under the bus in the interview with Winfrey saying that Kate had made her cry.

Prince Harry had previously described Kate as like a “big sister.”

“They know it is not about them on Saturday – it is about honouring their grandfather’s memory and supporting their grandmother,” a royal source told the UK Telegraph.

“I would be extremely surprised if that wasn’t front and centre of both their minds.

“They will be keen to spend time together as a family, in the same time zone for once.”

There have been efforts made to ensure that the focus was on the Queen – with the brothers ordered to leave their bitterness at the door.

“The entire focus is on the Queen. No exceptions. A family unified,” another source told the paper.