Prince Philip's funeral to be held on April 17, Harry to attend

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Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh smiles during a visit to the headquarters of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force's (RAuxAF) 603 Squadron, Edinburgh, Britain, July 4, 2015. /Getty

The funeral for the Duke of Edinburgh will be held at Windsor on April 17, with no public access or public procession beforehand, and will be televised to mark the duke's "vast contribution and lasting legacy," a Buckingham Palace spokesman said on Saturday.

"It will be what's known as a ceremonial royal funeral," a Buckingham Palace spokesman said. "The plans for the funeral are very much in line with the Duke of Edinburgh's own personal wishes."

Philip's body will be carried to the West Steps in a Land Rover, which was specially designed by Philip himself.

Flowers and notes are laid down outside Windsor Castle after Britain's Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, died at the age of 99, Windsor, near London, Britain, April 10, 2021. /Reuters

The spokesman also noted that the proceedings have been scaled down due to the COVID-19 pandemic with only 30 mourners allowed to attend, but a national minute of silence will be held at 3 p.m. before the funeral begins at St George's Chapel.

"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 palace spokesman said.

The Queen has approved the prime minister's recommendation that there be eight days of national mourning, to end on the day of the duke's funeral, the palace said.

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A member of the 105th Regiment Royal Artillery stands guard during a gun salute to mark the death of Britain's Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, at Edinburgh Castle, Britain, April 10, 2021. /Reuters

During the national mourning time, union flags will remain at half-mast but the Royal Standard, which is flown when the Queen is in residence at one of the royal palaces, will be at full mast.

The Royal Family will observe two weeks of mourning and royal engagements will continue, with mourning bands worn where appropriate.

Sky News reported that Prince Harry will be travelling from his home in the United States to attend, although his pregnant wife Meghan has been advised by doctors not to travel.

Britain's Prince Philip died at the age of 99. He left the hospital last month after a month-long treatment for a pre-existing heart condition.

When he officially retired from royal duties in 2017 aged 96, Philip had completed more than 22,000 solo engagements since 1952, given 5,496 speeches in his travels to more than 76 countries, authored 14 books, served as patron to 785 organizations and made 637 solo overseas visits, according to Buckingham Palace.

The duke is survived by his wife Queen Elizabeth, four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

(With input from Xinhua, Reuters)

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