Prince Philip’s funeral: timeline of events at Windsor Castle

Prince Philip’s funeral will take place on Saturday afternoon within the grounds of Windsor Castle, to avoid crowds gathering during the coronavirus pandemic, but will be televised to the nation.

The congregation will wear masks and members of the royal family will be wearing morning coats with medals or day dress.

Here is a timeline of events:

11am – The coffin, which will be covered with Philip’s personal standard along with his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers, will be moved from the private chapel to the Inner Hall of Windsor Castle.

2.20pm and 2.27pm – Members of the royal family and Philip’s relatives who are not taking part in the procession will leave Windsor Castle by car to make the journey to the chapel.

2.27pm – The Land Rover upon which the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin will be placed will enter the quadrangle where bands will begin to play music.

The Land Rover was the duke’s project, spanning 16 years, which he requested be painted in military green.

2.38pm – The coffin will be lifted by members of the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

2.40pm – Members of Philip’s household will take up their positions in the procession and the bands stop playing music.

2.41pm – The coffin will emerge from the State Entrance to be met by members of the royal family walking in the procession.

A royal salute will be made and the bearer party will place the coffin on to the Land Rover.

2.44pm – The Queen will leave from the Sovereign’s Entrance in the state Bentley as the national anthem plays.

The Bentley will pause as it reaches the rear of the procession so the front section of the procession can turn to face the direction of travel.

2.45pm – The procession, which is planned to take eight minutes, will set off.

The firing of minute guns by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the east lawn and the sound of the Curfew Tower bell will form the backdrop.

Members of the royal family including Prince Charles, Princess Anne and princes William and Harry will follow on foot immediately behind the coffin, and be joined by staff from Philip’s household.

William and Harry will not walk side by side for the procession, instead they will be by their cousin Peter Phillips.

A royal salute will be given by the Windsor Castle Guard as the coffin passes the parade ground.

will arrive at the foot of the chapel.

A guard of honour and band from the Rifles will play the national anthem as the coffin enters Horseshoe Cloister.

3pm – The national minute’s silence, signalled by a gun fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

3.01pm – The service will begin as the coffin enters the chapel and members of the royal family take their seats.

The dean of Windsor and the archbishop of Canterbury will receive the coffin inside the chapel. Most of the procession will not enter except for members of the royal family and the duke’s private secretary, Archie Miller Bakewell.

After the service, the Queen and members of the royal family and Philip’s relatives will leave the chapel via the Galilee Porch.

source: theguardian.com