PRINCE Philip’s funeral will be held at the same place where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry got married.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, passed away “peacefully” at Windsor Castle this morning, the Queen announced at noon today.
* Read our live blog for the very latest news on Prince Philip’s death…
Her Majesty, 94, has expressed her “deep sorrow” after her “beloved” husband the Duke of Edinburgh died just weeks after being in hospital.
It was later revealed that Philip will have a private funeral – with the public being urged to stay away due to coronavirus.
His body will lie at rest at Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George’s Chapel – where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex tied the knot in May 2018.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank also got married in the same chapel in October of that year.
It comes as Harry is reportedly keen to return to the UK to be with his family after the tragedy – but it is unclear if Meghan will join him.
It comes as:
- Queen shares poignant photo of Philip as she talks of ‘deep sorrow’
- Philip will NOT have State Funeral as Brits told to stay away due to Covid
- Harry wants ‘nothing more’ than to be with the Queen – but will he and Meghan fly back?
- Boris Johnson pays tribute to ‘extraordinary’ Prince Philip
- Prince Philip’s life in pictures
- Queen to enter ‘8 days of mourning’ for Prince Philip
- How Prince Philip’s early years saw him flee Corfu on a warship
- This Morning taken off air as Queen announces Philip’s death
Meghan, 39, is currently pregnant – undoubtedly needing to take advice from doctors before going on a long-haul flight.
A source close to the family reportedly told DailyMail.com: “Harry will absolutely do his utmost to get back to the UK and be with his family.
“He will want nothing more than to be there for his family, and particularly his grandmother, during this awful time.
“Meghan is obviously pregnant so she will need to take advice from her doctors about whether it is safe for her to travel, but I think Harry will definitely go.”
The decision to not have a State Funeral is in “line with custom and with High Royal Highness’ wishes”, an official College of Arms statement said today.
It also said the arrangements have been revised due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic – and urged people to “not attempt to attend or participate in any of the events”.
The funeral details were revealed just hours after the Duke of Edinburgh, who has been the Queen’s “rock” for 73 years, died this morning.
The College of Arms statement revealed: “The funeral will not be a State Funeral and will not be preceded by a Lying-in-State.
“His Royal Highness’s body will lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George’s Chapel.
“This is in line with custom and with His Royal Highness’s wishes.
PRIVATE FUNERAL
“The funeral arrangements have been revised in view of the prevailing circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and it is regretfully requested that members of the public do not attempt to attend or participate in any of the events that make up the funeral.”
Thames Valley Police said it will put in place a “wide range of security measures” for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral including “some you can see and some you will not be able to see”.
Just after midday, the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK as the world mourns his death.
Tributes have poured in from around the world for the hardest-working member of the Royal Family after seven decades of Royal service.
Buckingham Palace said it will “join with people around the world in mourning his loss”.
A statement from the 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.
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
