Prince Philip: a poignant and pared-back farewell

This was a funeral service where less was indeed more. Prince Philip, 99, wanted a send off without frippery.

Prince Charles leads Prince Andrew and, from left, Prince William, David Armstrong-Jones, Peter Phillips, Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Harry and Prince Edward. Picture: Getty Images

This was a funeral service where less was indeed more.

Prince Philip, 99, wanted a send off without frippery.

And with the songs, a service order without eulogies or sermons, the Land Rover hearse, the pared-down military parade and the blue-sky day, it was all the more powerful for its simplicity.

The grieving Queen sat solitary and alone at the front of chapel, head bowed and appearing uncharacteristically shaken, even fiddling with the order of service and hiding her eyes below her hat and white-edged black face mask.

It was a heartbreaking moment seeing the Queen sitting so alone, saying goodbye to her husband of 73 years.

Charles, now the most senior male royal, blinked rapidly as the coffin, draped in Philip’s standard, his hat and gloves, and a bouquet of lilies and roses chosen by the Queen, was manoeuvred into position in the quire inside St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Just minutes earlier, all that could be heard was the beat of a drum and a gun fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery once a minute from the East Lawn of Windsor Castle, as the senior royals walked solemnly in procession behind Philip’s coffin.

Australia’s defence force representative, Commodore Guy Holthouse, was in the quadrangle, not far from Philip’s two favourite horses and his carriage that he used to take driving in the Windsor estate, an activity he enjoyed until last year.

Catherine Duchess of Cambridge. Picture: Getty Images

Wearing mourning dress and medals, Charles and his sister, Princess Anne, led the procession behind the hearse, followed by Prince Edward and Prince ­Andrew.

Philip’s elder grandson, Peter Phillips, was positioned strategically between brothers Prince William and Prince Harry, with the Earl of Snowden and Anne’s husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy ­Lawrence, at the rear.

This was the first time Harry has been in the presence of his family since the bombshell US television interview where he and his wife, Meghan, accused the royal family of racism and prejudice.

The Queen was in the back of her Bentley, accompanied by a lady in waiting, in the procession before entering the church to the sounds of God Save The Queen.

She was dressed in a black dress and wearing one of her largest brooches, the Richmond brooch, given to her by Queen Mary.

The rest of the 30 guests lined up outside the church until the cortege arrived, with Sophie, the Countess of Sussex, having her arms around her two children, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn.

There was a national minute’s silence as Philip’s coffin was paused halfway up the stairs into the chapel.

The songs, selected by Philip more than 18 years ago when he began his own funeral arrangements, were personally significant.

Because of coronavirus restrictions, the congregation was not ­allowed to sing, and the choir ­comprised just four singers.

Eternal Father is known as the hymn of the Royal Navy, which Philip joined at 17 and served in during World War II.

The Rhosymedre by Williams was played at the royal weddings including William to Kate and Harry to Meghan, and at the ­funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Jubilate in C was written at the special request of Philip 50 years ago, while Psalm 104 was set to music by guitarist and composer William Lovelady, and first sung in honour of Philip’s 75th birthday in 1996.

The Queen sat alone at teh front of the chapel. Picture: AFP

The most poignant and moving parts of the ceremony were a ­lament from the Royal Marines, The Last Post by the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry, the Reveille by the buglers of the Royal Marines and then the very special Philip moment, the call ­Action Stations as Philip’s coffin was lowered into the royal vault.

The Dean of Windsor commended the Duke: “Go forth upon thy journey from this world, O Christian soul, in the name of God the Father Almighty who ­created thee, in the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee, in the name of the Holy Spirit who strengtheneth thee, may thy ­portion this day be in peace, and thy dwelling in the heavenly ­Jerusalem.”

As the congregation walked back up Chapel Hill and past the Round Tower to the state rooms of Windsor Castle, Harry and ­William, as well as Kate, chatted to each other, while Charles, appearing very emotional, pocketed a handkerchief.