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Prince William and Harry sit on opposite sides of chapel but facing each other at Philip’s funeral

The royal princes came together after months of tension for Prince Philip’s funeral but the seating arrangements left a huge gap.

Prince Philip farewelled in sombre funeral service

Prince William and Harry have been sat on opposite sides of the chapel for Prince Philip’s funeral – but are facing each other.

The pair, separated during the procession into St George’s Chapel, were kept apart for the poignant service on Saturday.

FULL COVERAGE OF PRINCE PHILIP’S FUNERAL

Prince William and Harry face-to-face for the first time since Harry quit as a senior royal and gave his explosive tell-all interview to Oprah. Picture: Ian Vogler-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince William and Harry face-to-face for the first time since Harry quit as a senior royal and gave his explosive tell-all interview to Oprah. Picture: Ian Vogler-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prince William is sitting with wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, opposite his younger brother.

This is the first time they will have seen each other in over a year.

The brothers have reportedly resolved to put aside today and focus on mourning their grandfather – but haven’t been put side-by-side for the procession or service.

Harry is on the same side of the chapel as the Queen, who is sat closest to the altar.

They are separated by Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

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Prince William and Harry were placed on either side of the chapel. Graphic: The Sun
Prince William and Harry were placed on either side of the chapel. Graphic: The Sun

All the 30 mourners in the chapel have been kept in their bubbles, with space left between each group or single person for Covid safety.

The Queen appears to be sitting in the same spot she sat in for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.

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The Queen sits alone, separated from her family for the funeral of her beloved husband.
The Queen sits alone, separated from her family for the funeral of her beloved husband.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have been placed opposite the Queen – so she will be able to see them beyond her husband’s coffin.

Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, are behind Charles and Camilla at the altar end of the chapel.

Two spots down from them are Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, who are behind the Wessex family.

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FAMILY MOURNS

Behind Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge are Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall, with Peter Phillips two seats away.

Nearer to the back of the portion of the chapel are the rest of the mourners, equally spaced out.

These include the Earl of Snowdon, the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Gloucester and the Countess Mountbatten of Burma.

Proceedings started at 11am today when Philip’s coffin was moved from the private chapel to the Inner Hall of Windsor Castle.

His casket is covered with his personal standard along with his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers.

The coffin was moved by the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, where Philip was a colonel for 42 years.

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Kate arriving for the funeral of Prince Philip at Windsor Castle. Picture: Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Kate arriving for the funeral of Prince Philip at Windsor Castle. Picture: Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The service began with a ceremonial procession, setting off from the state entrance at 2.45pm with the Prince of Wales and members of Royal Family following on foot behind Philip’s coffin.

A national minute’s silence took place at 3pm before the 50-minute service honouring Philip’s 70-plus years of duty to the Queen and country begins.

Buglers from the Royal Marines will sound Action Stations to reflect Philip’s lifelong association with the Royal Navy.

The song is played on a warship to signal all hands should go to battle stations and is sometimes featured at the funerals of naval men.

RELATED: How Queen spent final days with Prince Philip

Prince Charles and members of the royal family sitting apart in the chapel. Picture: Channel 7
Prince Charles and members of the royal family sitting apart in the chapel. Picture: Channel 7

The poignant ceremony will end with his body being taken to lie in the Royal Vault within St George’s chapel, where he will wait to be reunited with his beloved Queen.

Prince Philip died last Friday at Windsor Castle, with the Queen said to be by his side.

In keeping with his character over the last few months, the Duke got his dying wish of a small “no-fuss” funeral, largely due to ongoing Covid restrictions.

This story was originally published on The Sun and is republished with permission.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/prince-william-and-harry-sit-on-opposite-sides-of-chapel-but-facing-each-other-at-philips-funeral/news-story/89279bff4cf5e73492cd70405afa984c