PRINCE Philip’s “unwavering loyalty” to the Queen and “courage, fortitude and faith” will be hailed at his funeral tomorrow afternoon.
The Duke of Edinburgh stood by the monarch’s side for more than 70 years, dedicating his life to the nation and service.
Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates
The 99-year-old will now be laid to rest at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on Saturday afternoon, with the Royal Family gathering to bid farewell to the Queen’s “rock”.
Prince Harry has returned from the US to be with his family, with just 30 mourners allowed to attend the service due to Covid.
However, the funeral will still follow Prince Philip’s wishes – and hail his “courage, fortitude and faith”.
The Queen will also pause at his coffin to bid her husband of more than seven decades farewell as he is laid to rest.
Her Majesty will also be sitting alone during the funeral due to strict coronavirus rules.
Members of the Royal Family will have to be at least two metres apart during the service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on Saturday.
It comes as…
- The Queen shared a candid photo of her beaming next to Philip
- Her Majesty will bid a private farewell to her husband before his coffin leaves Windsor Castle for the funeral
- Mike Tindall posted a sweet photo of Prince Philip with his daughter Mia
- The monarch took her new puppies for a walk at Frogmore ahead of the service
- Omid Scobie and Gayle King will lead US coverage of the funeral
No sermon will be delivered during the ceremonial royal service, in keeping with Philip’s wishes, while his body will be taken to the funeral in a Land Rover he helped to design.
His love of the sea and long association with the Royal Navy permeates the Order of Service, which has been released by Buckingham Palace ahead of Saturday’s proceedings.
Music chosen by the duke includes the hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” – traditionally associated with seafarers and the maritime armed services.
The Dean of Windsor, in the Bidding, will also pay tribute to Philip’s “kindness, humour and humanity.”
“With grateful hearts, we remember the many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us,” he will say of Philip, who died aged 99 last Friday.
“We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the Nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith.
“Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humour and humanity.”
What are the hymns and readings at Prince Philip’s funeral?
‘Eternal Father, Strong to Save’
Music chosen by the duke includes the hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” – traditionally associated with seafarers and the maritime armed services.
Written in 1860 by William Whiting, it was inspired by the dangers of the sea described in Psalm 107.
It was also sung at the funeral of Philip’s beloved uncle, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, who was murdered by the IRA in 1979.
Lesson by Dean of Windsor
A lesson by the Dean of Windsor will be read out during the 50-minute service.
The reading will tell of “those who sail the sea tell stories of its dangers, which astonish all who hear them; in it are strange and wonderful creatures, all kinds of living things and huge sea monsters”.
The Jubilate
Following the Lesson by the Dean of Windsor will be The Jubilate written by Benjamin Britten and was written at the request of The Duke of Edinburgh.
Second Lesson
The Second Lesson will be read by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Pslam 104
Funeral guests will also hear the choir sing Psalm 104 which was set to music by guitarist and composer William Lovelady.
Originally composed as a cantata in three movements, it was first sung in honour of the duke’s 75th birthday in 1996.
Military honours
Philip’s close association with the military will show at the funeral.
Members of the Armed Forces will be taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral to “honour their special relationship” with Philip, a spokesman said.
The Last Post will be sounded by buglers of the Royal Marines and, after a period of silence, the Reveille will be played by the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry.
Philip enjoyed an active naval career between 1939 and 1951 and was a veteran of the Second World War.
Detachments drawn from units that had a link with Philip will be positioned on the grass in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle.
