PRINCE William and Harry have been sat on opposite sides of the chapel for Prince Philip’s funeral – but are facing each other.
The pair, separated during the procession into St George’s Chapel, have been kept apart for the poignant service this afternoon.
Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates
Prince William is sitting with wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, opposite his younger brother.
This is the first time they will have seen each other in over a year.
The brothers have reportedly resolved to put aside today and focus on mourning their grandfather – but haven’t been put side by side for the procession or service.
Harry is on the same side of the chapel as the Queen, who is sat closest to the altar.
They are separated by Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
It comes as:
- Queen arrives at Prince Philip’s funeral on ‘her saddest day’ as his coffin is moved into chapel
- Prince Harry stands apart from William at Philip’s funeral as he’s seen in Britain for first time since Oprah interview
- Britain pauses for national minute’s silence to honour Prince Philip on day of mourning
- Absent Meghan Markle leaves handwritten note to Prince Philip as family gather to say goodbye
- Queen’s special relationship with Prince Andrew proven once again as she seats him in prime spot for Philip funeral
- Meghan Markle watches Prince Philip’s funeral on live-stream from US with Archie after doctors said she couldn’t attend
All the 30 mourners in the chapel have been kept in their bubbles, with space left between each group or single person for Covid safety.
The Queen appears to be sitting in the same spot she sat in for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have been placed opposite the Queen – so she will be able to see them beyond her husband’s coffin.
Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, are behind Charles and Camilla at the altar end of the chapel.
Two spots down from them are Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, who are behind the Wessex family.
FAMILY MOURNS
Behind Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge are Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall, with Peter Phillips two seats away.
Nearer to the back of the portion of the chapel are the rest of the mourners, equally spaced out.
These include the Earl of Snowdon, the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Gloucester and the Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
Proceedings started at 11am today when Philip’s coffin was moved from the private chapel to the Inner Hall of Windsor Castle.
His casket is covered with his personal standard along with his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers.
The coffin was moved by the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, where Philip was a colonel for 42 years.
The service began 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.
A national minute’s silence took place at 3pm before the 50-minute service honouring Philip’s 70-plus years of duty to the Queen and country begins.
Buglers from the Royal Marines will sound Action Stations to reflect Philip’s life-long association with the Royal Navy.
The song is played on a warship to signal all hands should go to battle stations and is sometimes featured at the funerals of naval men.
The poignant ceremony will end with his body being taken to lie in the Royal Vault within St George’s chapel, where he will wait to be reunited with his beloved Queen.
Prince Philip died last Friday at Windsor Castle, with the Queen said to be by his side.
In keeping with his character over the last few months, the Duke got his dying wish of a small “no-fuss” funeral, largely due to ongoing Covid restrictions.
