The funeral of Prince Philip: Farewell to the Queen and her Kingdom

Windsor | On Saturday, the Queen and the United Kingdom invited Prince Philip, who has tirelessly served the crown for more than seven decades and supported Elizabeth II, in a small committee ceremony due to the pandemic and with military overtones.

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The Queen’s husband “peacefully” died eight days ago, known for his frankness and sense of humor – who sometimes flirts with racism or sexism – 100 years ago on June 10.

The Duke of Edinburgh will be buried on the grounds of Windsor Castle, where Philip, born in Corfu as Prince of Greece and Denmark, breathed his last after a lifetime of loyal service to the monarchy since his marriage, 73 years ago, with “Lilibet”.

The Queen loses the person who was, in her words, her “strength” and “support”, who, since her coronation in 1952, has been in a state of withdrawal to support her unwavering and has become for the monarchy a pillar and the royal family, its patriarch.

Circumstances helped, the Duke of Edinburgh’s wish to avoid a funeral would be honored with greater pomp than he had initially imagined.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the public has been urged not to gather in front of royal residences. In national mourning since the death of the Duke of Edinburgh on April 9, the United Kingdom has been called to observe a minute of silence at 3 PM local time (9 AM Quebec Time), at the start of the religious ceremony.

For the latter, only 30 people will attend, as per the health rules in force in England.

The funerals, which are broadcast on television, will, in relatively simple form, reflect the military past carried with pride by the prince who fought in the Navy during World War II.

Last home

Consequently, the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army will be present in Windsor to welcome the coffin – covered with his personal standards and sword – which will be transported on a stern boat. Picks A Green Land Rover that the Duke of Edinburgh helped design himself.

The fanfare of the Grenadier Guards, of which Philip had been colonel for 42 years, will lead the procession to St.George’s Chapel, where the religious ceremonies will take place.

The Dean of Windsor should commend his “unwavering loyalty” to the Queen, his “courage,” his “spirit strength” and his “faith,” according to previously published excerpts.

The coffin will be lowered into the “Royal Vault,” which is the crypt where it will remain until the Queen joins him there upon his death. Thereafter, the couple will be reunited after having another place in the memorial chapel for King George VI, father of Elizabeth II.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin, will bless and meet the Anglican spiritual leader at the end of his service.

Reunion

For the Windsors, this funeral is also an opportunity for them to reunite after recent crises.

This is the first time since his massive withdrawal from the monarchy and his departure across the Atlantic, that Prince Harry will find the royal family in public, characterized by the shadow of accusations of racism and indifference that the prince and his wife wore in loud bang. Interview with Oprah Winfrey.

He will be shown especially alongside his older brother William and father, Prince Charles.

Harry’s wife Meghan Markle, who is pregnant with their second child, remains in the United States on the advice of her doctor.

A cousin between two brothers

The siblings united in 1997 behind Diana’s coffin, and the two brothers will walk the same line to follow their grandfather’s coffin. But their cousin Peter Phillips will happen between them, a choice that has been widely commented on in the press.

But when it comes to clothing, the British royal family will strive to present a united front. It would be all in civilian clothes, which is a way to avoid the distinction between Princes Andrew and Harry, both of whom are very much associated with the military.

Despite two missions in Afghanistan, Harry, the former captain, was only allowed to wear his service medals in civilian clothes, after losing his honorary military titles.

Although he still belonged to the Navy, Prince Andrew, the Queen’s second son and former helicopter pilot, in uniform, would have looked poorly after his withdrawal from the monarchy, due to his friendship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, before a court. For minors trafficking.

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