Andrew Bolt: Unscripted moment at Prince Philip’s funeral spoke to the heart

Prince Philip’s funeral was regal and beautiful. But it lacked warmth, until this totally unscripted moment.

Prince Philip’s funeral was regal and beautiful. But in the end it lacked that greatest of things — warmth.

Yes, we can blame in part the coronavirus restrictions that had the poor Queen masked and forced to sit herself in a pew of St George’s Chapel as she farewelled her husband.

Even so, commentators searched desperately for tiny details to emote over.

How few there were. The tear on the face of Prince Charles as he walked behind his father’s hearse.

The cooks standing outside the castle in honour of their old boss.

The Prince’s gloves and hat on the seat of the carriage he used to drive, brought in by his ponies.

This was a funeral for a prince, where the person was almost invisible.

There was no eulogy from children or friends. No reminiscences.

Even when the Dean of Windsor did mention Philip, it was almost exclusively to praise him as a public figure, not a private man: “We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our queen, by his service to the nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith.”

Queen Elizabeth II watches as pallbearers carry the coffin of Prince Philip.

Of course, the prince left clues to his values by designing the ceremony himself.

There was the stress on his naval and military service, with his hearse flanked by military men and the choir singing a hymn for “those in peril on the sea”.

There were the buglers sounding “action stations” near the end of the service, so appropriate for a man who hated fuss and worked hard until he retired at 96.

But to the end and beyond, Philip put the monarchy above himself.

This was a funeral designed to make you impressed with the monarchy and its traditions — all those brilliant uniforms and bands!

After all, the royal family does not want its future to hang on whether you like whoever’s in the palace.

In fact, after two hours of ceremonials, it was a totally unscripted moment that spoke most to the heart.

Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, at Prince Philip’s funeral service.

Outside the chapel, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, spoke amicably to Prince Harry, who then chatted with his brother William as they walked back to the castle.

It was a moment of grace and compassion, given how Harry and wife Meghan Markle had so publicly attacked William and Kate.

Or does royalty work best by crushing the personal to better serve the public good?