THE Queen will wear a face mask at Prince Philip’s funeral as he’s laid to rest in a traditional oak coffin.
Her Majesty, 94, and other royals will not be exempt from Covid rules as her beloved husband is buried on Saturday with just 30 mourners present.
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The Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away on Friday aged 99, is being laid to rest in St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Unusually, Philip’s coffin will be carried from Windsor Castle in the back of an open-top Land Rover he helped develop with the Army.
But in keeping with royal tradition, the casket is made from English oak and lined with lead, The Times reports.
It is being supplied by the royal family’s undertakers, Leverton & Sons, which date back to the 18th Century.
The coffin was made alongside one for the Queen but no one knows how old it is as the company inherited them in 1991.
Director Andrew Leverton told the newspaper: “It is not something you can just make in a day, or a few hours.
“It was felt that it was important to have it available.”
The coffins use lead as a lining to keep moisture out and preserve the body for longer.
Although Philip will one day be buried with the Queen in the memorial chapel in Frogmore Gardens, his body will lie in the Royal Vault until the tragic day comes.
His funeral will be different to any other royal’s after Covid made the family strip back all tradition.
Just 30 guests will be in attendance and the Queen will not take part in the procession from Windsor Castle.
Prince William and Harry, who arrived back in the UK two days ago for the funeral, and other senior royals will follow the Land Rover on foot.
A minute’s silence will be held across the nation at 3pm to remember Philip’s 70-plus years of service.
Buckingham Palace will release full details of the service and guest list on Thursday.
A spokesperson has insisted the pared-back event is in keeping with the personal wishes of no-fuss Philip.
They said: “This event will be much reduced in scale with no public access. 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,’ he said.
“The plans have been given final approval by the Queen and reflect appropriately Government advice. Despite these necessary changes, they still very much reflect the personal wishes of the Duke.
“Although the ceremonial arrangements are reduced, the occasion will still celebrate and recognise the Duke’s life and his more than 70 years of service to the Queen, the UK and the Commonwealth.”
