The original plan for his funeral, whose codename is ‘Operation Forth Bridge’, has been in place for years and would have included a period of lying in the state—which would have seen hundreds of thousands of people queuing up to view his coffin—and a military procession through crowded streets. But with Britain still under lockdown, the College of Arms says that these plans have now been scrapped, as per the following statement: “The funeral will not be a State Funeral and will not be preceded by a Lying-in-State. His Royal Highness’s body will lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George’s Chapel. This is in line with custom and with His Royal Highness’s wishes. “The funeral arrangements have been revised in view of the prevailing circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and it is regretfully requested that members of the public do not attempt to attend or participate in any of the events that make up the funeral.” The revised arrangements are likely to be more in line with Prince Philip’s previously expressed desire for a “low-key” funeral. It’s expected that there will still be a military procession on the day of his burial, despite restrictions that allow only 30 people at a funeral, and in the meantime members of the public have been invited to contribute to an online book of condolences. One decision Queen Elizabeth IIwill have to make is whether a period of Court (also known as Royal) Mourning will take place, which will require the queen and her representatives abroad to wear black for several weeks and use black-edged paper. However, she might simply settle on Family Mourning, which will see members of the royal family wear black for a shorter period of time. Next up, Princess Eugenie shared a gorgeous Easter family photo taken below a towering blossom tree.
