UNITED IN GRIEF
Prince Harry and William WILL be reunited before Philip’s funeral as they meet face-to-face for first time ‘in a year’
PRINCE William and Harry will be reunited before their grandfather's funeral as they meet for the first time in a year.
The Royal Family are set to gather together before they start the mournful procession behind Prince Philip's coffin this afternoon.
🔵 Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates
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It is thought the brothers haven't spoken in person since Harry returned to the UK for the funeral.
But Harry reportedly made contact with Charles, William, Beatrice and Eugenie on the phone to "park any disputes".
Therefore the gathering in the State Entrance Hall before the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin is carried from the State Entrance will be the first time they come face to face.
The sombre setting means the pair are thought to have parked their dispute - sparked by Prince Harry's move to the US and a bombshell Oprah interview - until after the funeral.
The event will be different to any other royal funeral after Covid made the family strip back all tradition.
Just 30 mourners will be in attendance to honour Britain's longest-serving consort.
Under Covid rules, all those entering the chapel will wear a face mask and all members of the Royal Family will be seated two metres apart.
The official seating plan will be released today so it is not yet sure whether the Queen will have someone from her HMS Bubble comforting her.
The royals will all wear morning coat with medals or day dress after fears Prince Harry would be the only male senior royal dressed differently.
KEY TIMINGS FOR PRINCE PHILIP'S FUNERAL
The ceremonial arrangements for the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral are set to reflect military affiliations and personal elements of his life.
- 11.00am : 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 by members of The Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
- 2pm: The Lord Chamberlain, the Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle and the Dean of Windsor will be present in the Inner Hall.
- 2.10pm: The Dean will say prayers before leaving by car to St George's Chapel.
- 2.15pm: Representatives from the services are in place in the Quadrangle to show Philip's special military relationships. The Quadrangle will also be lined by the Household Cavalry and The Foot Guards.
- Between 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 coffin will be placed, enters the Quadrangle via George IV Gate where bands at the site begin to play music. The service chiefs, the Major General commanding the Household Division and his staff leave from the Equerries Entrance and take their position by the State Entrance. The pall bearers take up position either side of the Land Rover and together they move towards the State Entrance.
- 2.38pm: The coffin is lifted in the Inner Hall
- 2.41pm: The coffin emerges from the State Entrance and is met by members of the royal family who are walking in the procession. A royal salute is given by the service detachments, the service chiefs, the pall bearers, the Major General commanding the Household Division and his staff give a royal salute. The coffin is placed on to the Land Rover.
- 2.44pm: The Queen, accompanied by a lady-in-waiting, leaves from the Sovereign's Entrance in the State Bentley as the national anthem is played. 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, sets off.
- 2.53pm: The Land Rover arrives at the foot of the West Steps of the chapel.
- 3pm: The National Minute's Silence, signalled by a gun fired by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, takes place.
- After the minute's silence, the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury receive the coffin which has been followed by the members of the royal family who have walked in the procession.The Last Post will be sounded by buglers of the Royal Marines from the west end of the Nave.
- After the service, the Queen and members of the royal family and Philip's relatives will leave the chapel via the Galilee Porch.
The service will begin with a ceremonial procession, setting off from the state entrance at 2.45pm with the Prince of Wales and members of Royal Family following on foot behind Philip's coffin.
All eyes will be on warring Harry and Wills, who will come face-to-face for the first time since the former left the UK for a new life in California.
The once-close pair have not been seen together at a public engagement since March last year as tensions bubbled over.
It would also be the first time they have seen each other in person since Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.
In the tell-all chat, Harry sensationally claimed his brother was "trapped" in the Royal Family.
But ahead of the funeral the pair say they want the day to be about Philip, rather than their dispute.
One insider said: "To be fair, both William and Harry have made clear that they wish to focus on mourning their grandfather and do not want anything to get in the way of that.
"But it has made everyone doubly nervous about saying anything that could be remotely construed of being critical of the other side. It’s been a minefield."
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Guests will also be banned from singing at the service due to coronavirus rules, but a choir will perform.
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The choir of singers will be made up of three lay clerks in St George's Chapel choir and one soprano.
And the singers will be seated away from the congregation-of-30, in line with Covid rules.
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