THE Queen will “have to sit on her own” during Prince Philip’s funeral because of 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.
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The only person who could sit with her during the funeral is expected to be Brigadier Archie Miller-Bakewell, Philip‘s private secretary.
He is the only other member of the 20-person Windsor Castle Covid bubble – known as ‘HMS Bubble’ – likely to be at the funeral.
Royal sources told the Telegraph that the Queen, 94, would be alone at the funeral unless a member of her bubble also attended.
All in attendance will have to wear face masks and will not be allowed to sing.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “We have made it very clear that the service will be Covid-compliant.”
Other royals who will likely have to sit two metres away from everyone else at the funeral include Prince Harry and his cousin Peter Phillips.
Couples like Prince Charles and wife Camilla will be allowed to sit together – but two metres away from others.
Strict rules on the number of mourners allowed to attend funerals in England were eased on Monday.
They were relaxed to allow 30 people to attend funeral services.
FUNERAL PLANS
Philip’s coffin will be carried from Windsor Castle in the back of an open-top Land Rover he helped develop with the Army.
The Palace has explored a number of options in relation to his coffin.
They include a £900 eco-friendly woollen casket in a nod to the Prince’s pioneering work on conservation.
A firm which made the ceremonial outfits for Princes William and Harry at their weddings produces the innovative textile coffin.
A lead-lined coffin made of oak has also been considered.
The coffins use lead as a lining to keep moisture out and preserve the body for longer.
The Duke’s coffin was made alongside one for the Queen but no one knows how old it is as the company inherited them in 1991.
Buckingham Palace have refused to comment on the type of coffin that will be used.
And it is unlikely to be shown at the funeral on Saturday as it will be draped in the Duke’s personal standard.
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.
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.
