COVID RULES
Prince Philip funeral rules explained: What Covid rules will guests have to follow?
PLANS for Prince Philip’s funeral have been revised due to Covid, with strict regulations that Her Majesty the Queen and other 29 attendees of the occasion will have to follow.
The send off for the Duke of Edinburgh, who was married to the Queen for 73 years, is scheduled to happen at St George's Chapel in Windsor on Saturday.
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What are the Covid rules for Prince Philip's funeral?
Prince Philip will be sent off with a private service held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor with 30 mourners and burial in Frogmore Gardens.
Experts believe updated government rules will make the Duke of Edinburgh's send-off on Saturday, April 17, 2021, “the most low-key royal funeral ever”.
Updated guidance published this week bans communal singing.
It states: “If the event is taking place indoors avoid singing, shouting, chanting and raising your voice.”
A “single group of singers” such as a choir is allowed but it must be “as few as possible” while being socially distanced.
It is also against the law not to wear a face mask without a valid exemption.
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Will the Royal Family have to follow Covid rules?
Details are still being finalised but Palace sources insist Covid guidelines will be followed at the ceremony inside St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Funeral guests must also stay at least two metres apart from others outside their household bubbles.
This will mean brothers William and Harry may be distanced as they line up with the rest of the family behind Philip’s coffin.
The Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla and Prince Andrew are understood to have had their jabs.
Prince Harry is in self-isolation at Frogmore Cottage after arriving at Heathrow on Sunday following his grandfather’s death aged 99 on April 9.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said: “It will be strange to see them wearing masks and socially distancing but these are the rules.
“I’m sure Philip said, ‘Sorry dears, but this is going to be the most low-key royal funeral ever’, and I’m sure that’s exactly what he wanted.”
How has Covid changed Prince Philip's funeral plans?
Just 30 people will be allowed to attend the duke's funeral on Saturday, April 17, as a result of tough coronavirus restrictions.
And while there will be close family members attending the service, it is likely that Prince Philip's great-grandchildren, all of whom are under 10, will stay at home.
It's certain that the Queen's four children will attend with their four spouses - Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles; Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence; Prince Andrew; and Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex.
Prince Philip's eight grandchildren are also likely to be chosen as a guest at the funeral - Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn.
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Social distancing restrictions will be in place, and masks will be worn by all attendees.
Royal biographer Penny Junor added: “I don’t think we’ve ever seen anything quite like this before — and won’t again.
“However, if one thing is important, it’s that no special dispensation is allowed for the funeral.
“A lot of people have lost loved ones this last year and they had to respect restrictions at funerals.
“The Royal Family are acutely aware of what the British people have gone through and will want to show their solidarity.”
MORE ON PRINCE PHILIP
Do these rules affect public mourners?
Yes. Philip’s funeral plans have been largely tailored to account for Covid restrictions- and the public are not allowed to attend.
Police have ramped up security ahead of Prince Philip's funeral - with extra armed cops on patrol and specialist searches carried out.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Among the security measures are extra armed police and uniformed officers on patrol in the historic town leading up to the event.
Gun cops have been seen on the Long Walk as the public come to pay their respects to Philip after his death aged 99.
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