Queen and Royal Family will observe two weeks of mourning for Prince Philip
THE Queen and the Royal Family will observe two weeks of mourning for Prince Philip, Buckingham Palace announced today.
The Duke of Edinburgh's body will lie at rest at Windsor Castle ahead of his funeral at St George's Chapel next Saturday at 3pm.
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The Queen has signed off on the final arrangements to lay to rest her husband of more than 70 years.
The monarch approved the Prime Minister's recommendation to announce a state of national mourning which is to be "observed by all" until Philip's funeral on April 17.
During the mourning period, flags will be flown at half-mast, MPs will wear black armbands in the Commons, and newsreaders will be expected to wear black clothes.
Boris Johnson has also cancelled his first post-lockdown pint on Monday as all Government business is halted.
All ministerial appearances, including media interviews, will be shelved for the foreseeable future.
And the UK's major parties have agreed to stop campaigning against each other out of respect.
It comes as:
- The Duke of Edinburgh will be carried to his funeral on a specially-modified Land Rover he helped design
- Queen shares touching tribute to 'strength & stay' Philip
- Tower of London lead 40-minute global gun salute in honour of Philip
- Prince William pulls out of Bafta speech in sign of respect
- What to expect this weekend as the UK mourns Prince Philip
- Prince Andrew was the first royal to arrive at Windsor Castle to comfort Queen
- Duke's death announced to PM with 'Forth Bridge is down' coded message after Royal Family told
- Queen was 'by Philip's bedside' when he died after final days 'in good form reading in the sun'
Some TV channels may even suspend comedy shows, and more somber music may be played on radio stations.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the Royal Family hoped the coming days would be seen as a chance to celebrate the duke's "remarkable life".
"While this is naturally a time of sadness and mourning for the royal family and the many others who knew or admired the Duke of Edinburgh, it is hoped that the coming days will also be seen as an opportunity to celebrate a remarkable life - remarkable both in terms of his vast contribution and lasting legacy," the spokesman said.
The Queen will not carry out any duties - even in private - and laws will not be given the Royal Assent as she grieves for her husband.
While helping to draw up details of his funeral himself, the Duke, who died at the age of 99 on Friday, was known to have wanted a minimum of fuss.
In line with his wishes, Philip will not be given a state funeral despite being entitled to one as the monarch's husband.
The ceremonial funeral will take place in the grounds of Windsor Castle next Saturday with no public procession.
It has been confirmed that Prince Harry will attend the funeral, but the Duchess of Sussex has been advised not to attend due to her pregnancy.
On the day of the funeral, the Duke's coffin will be moved to the state entrance of Windsor Castle by a bearer party from the Grenadier Guards.
His coffin will be draped with his personal standard, and decorated with a wreath of flowers and his Naval cap and sword.
It will be transported from the castle to the chapel in a specially-modified Land Rover he helped to design, and will be followed by the Prince Charles and senior royals on foot, a senior Palace official said.
The procession from the state entrance to the west steps of St George's Chapel will take eight minutes.
The route will be lined by representatives drawn from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Highlanders, 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Royal Air Force.
The Duke's coffin will enter the chapel to the national anthem before a nationwide minute's silence is held at 3pm - which will be broadcast on television.
His coffin will then be taken to the Royal Vault - where the bodies of the Queen’s beloved father, George VI, and grandfather, George V, were held before being moved to tombs elsewhere in the chapel.
Only 30 people will attend as guests and, under current guidelines, the Queen and the royal family will have to wear face masks and socially distance.
A Palace spokesman said: "This event will be much reduced in scale with no public access.
"In line with Government guidelines and public health measures, there will be no public processions and the duke's funeral will take place entirely within the grounds of Windsor Castle.
"The plans have been given final approval by the Queen and reflect appropriately Government advice.
"Despite these necessary changes, they still very much reflect the personal wishes of the duke.
"Although the ceremonial arrangements are reduced, the occasion will still celebrate and recognise the duke's life and his more than 70 years of service to the Queen, the UK and the Commonwealth."
'DON'T VISIT'
The Royal Family has appealed to people who wish to pay their respects in person to stay at home instead.
The Palace spokesman said: "While there is sadness that the public will not be able to physically be part of events to commemorate the life of the duke, the royal family asks that anyone wishing to express their condolences do so in the safest way possible and not by visiting Windsor or any other royal palaces to pay their respects.
"The family's wish is very much that people continue to follow the guidelines to keep themselves and others safe.
"His Royal Highness's funeral will be broadcast to enable as many people as possible to be part of the occasion, to mourn with us and celebrate a truly extraordinary life."
Earlier arrangements, coded Operation Forth Bridge, would have seen thousands of people travel to London and Windsor for a military procession with Philip's coffin.
There were also instructions for a 26-mile cortege procession back to Windsor on the day, allowing mourners to line the streets and pay their final respects.
But under Step 2 of Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown, funeral services can only be attended by a maximum of 30 people - and social distancing must be kept unless they live together or have formed a support bubble.
Prince Philip passed away two months and one day short of what would have been his 100th birthday.
The Queen, 94, shared a poignant photo of Philip in a heartfelt tribute to her "strength and guide".
A tearful Sophie, Countess of Wessex said the Queen has been "amazing" after visiting the monarch today with her husband Edward, Earl of Wessex.
Just after midday on Friday, the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK as the world mourns his death.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
"Further announcements will made in due course.
"The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."
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Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, inherited his father's title of the Duke of Edinburgh yesterday.
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But the title will later be inherited by Philip’s youngest son Prince Edward on Charles’ eventual accession to the throne.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh on Friday and said "he helped to steer the Royal Family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life".