Funeral arrangements for Prince Philip are underway in the UK.
Will he lie in state?
No, he will not — and that was his own decision.
The Duke of Edinburgh will not lie in state or have a state funeral in keeping with his wishes, the BBC reported.
As the consort of Queen Elizabeth II, Philip would have been entitled to a state funeral, which would have involved a military procession to Westminster Abbey and his casket lying in state, according to the Sun.
A state funeral was never likely — in light of Philip’s past comments that he didn’t want the “fuss” of the formal public display, the Sunday Times reported in 2013.
An aide once said Prince Philip “doesn’t see himself as important enough” for a state funeral — an occasion usually reserved for the death of a monarch.
The last royal family member to lie in state was the Queen Mother, who died in 2002, the Sunday Times reported. She and Princess Diana, who passed in 1997, had ceremonial — not state — funerals.
What could happen instead?
Philip will “lie at rest” in Windsor Castle until the more toned-down funeral service, to be held at St. George’s Chapel.
The public are “regretfully” requested not to attend due to the pandemic, the BBC reported of the palace plans.
His burial may take place at Frogmore Gardens.
TV cameras will not be allowed inside the service, which will likely include a military presence, given his career in the Royal Navy.
When will the funeral take place?
Buckingham Palace has so far been mum on the timing of the funeral.
But an apparently mistaken post on Britain’s government website appeared to accidentally reveal that it will be held on the morning of Saturday, April 17. The post was quickly taken down.
Flags will remain at half-staff on government buildings until the morning after the day of the funeral, the BBC said.
Buckingham Palace has dubbed the funeral arrangements Operation Forth Bridge, after the Scottish landmark and Unesco World Heritage Site.
Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend?
Harry is said to be planning to fly home to the UK for the service, although it is unclear whether his pregnant wife will make it. Funerals in the UK are currently limited to 30 people, meaning the queen may have to pick and choose which royal family members further down the line can attend her husband’s ceremony.
