The photo of the Queen sitting alone in St George’s Chapel as she said a final farewell to her husband is one of the most memorable photos from the latter years of her life.
As was his wish, Prince Philip’s funeral was a ‘minimal fuss’ ceremony. He didn’t want an eulogy or an elaborate state funeral; ‘He doesn’t see himself as important enough for that,’ an aide once said of the Duke of Edinburgh.
The funeral – Operation Forth Bridge – was scaled back even further due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with just 30 mourners, primarily family members, in attendance.
Biographer Tom Bower paints a solemn picture of the days surrounding the funeral in April 2021 in his book, Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors.
He wrote: ‘The mood in London was sombre. Daily, the media extolled Philip’s remarkable life and devotion to the country.
‘The Duke had planned a simple funeral at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. The rehearsals displayed faultless military drill.
‘Few would not be touched by the perfection of British ceremonial tradition. The weather was forecast to be perfect.
‘The only uncertainty was the relationship between Harry and his family.’
Philip’s death on April 9 came just a month after the Sussexes’ explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which the couple made racism accusations against an unknown member of the Royal Family.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral was planned for April 17 and Bower wrote: ‘Neither the Palace nor the media understood the Sussexes’ mindset when Harry arrived in London just before the service.
‘How would he cope with his father and brother? Meghan had cited her seven-month pregnancy as the reason for not travelling.
‘In Windsor Castle, the Queen was preparing to face the public on one of the saddest days of her life.
‘Philip had been her rock for the previous 70 years. To comply with Covid restrictions, she would grieve alone inside the chapel.’
She is reported to have said to her senior aides: ‘Thank goodness Meghan is not coming.’
‘There was no mistaking the Queen’s dislike for the disruptive actress,’ wrote Bower.
‘Harry’s presence remained a problem. As a private citizen stripped of his military titles, he could not dress in uniform.
‘To minimise the embarrassment for both Harry and Andrew, who was mired in allegations of sexual sleaze, all the male members of the Royal Family dressed in morning suits.
‘To avoid any problems with William, the brothers separated as they walked towards St George’s Chapel by their cousin Peter Phillips.’
Strategically, Peter was placed in between the feuding brothers to act as a ‘diplomatic buffer’, wrote royal author Robert Lacey.
It was the first time William and Harry appeared in public together in more than a year, and the brothers were seated opposite one another during the service.
Royal aides were said to have been ‘walking on eggshells’ as they tried to navigate the rift between the brothers following Harry and Meghan’s split from the Royal Family the year prior.
‘During the short procession, many watched whether Harry signalled any regret towards his family,’ Bower added.
But no one predicted that Harry was sitting on his Apple TV series that, as Bower wrote, would ‘confirm not only his disloyalty but his disregard for his family’s privacy’.
‘Transmission has been delayed until after the funeral. Once again, Harry had shafted the Windsors,’ wrote the biographer.
Royal aides were said to have been ‘walking on eggshells’ as they tried to navigate the rift between the brothers following Harry and Meghan’s split from the Royal Family the year prior
Immediately after Philip’s funeral, Charles exited the church and stripped his face mask away. He had clearly been crying
A Bearer Party of Royal Marines carry Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin (draped in his Royal Standard Flag and bearing his Royal Navy cap, sword and a bouquet of lilies, white roses, freesia and sweet peas) into St. George’s Chapel
It was the first time William and Harry appeared in public together in more than a year, and the brothers were seated opposite one another during the service
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