Prince William And Kate Depart Kensington Palace To Attend Prince Philip's Royal Funeral

Apr 17, 2021

Ahead of Prince Philip's royal funeral held in Windsor on the afternoon of Saturday, April 17, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were pictured leaving their London home, Kensington Palace, at 1 p.m., two hours before it was set to begin. Dressed in somber black, the couple was photographed wearing black face masks, while Kate Middleton accessorized elegantly with a black-veiled fascinator and matching pearl choker and drop-down earrings.

Prince William and his wife were expected to be among the 30 guests that would attend Prince Philip's funeral after numbers were limited due to the current lockdown restrictions. His brother Prince Harry arrived from the United States earlier this week and had been quarantining at his residence Frogmore Cottage ahead of the funeral.

Leading the royal family in paying their respects at St George's Chapel in the afternoon, will be Queen Elizabeth II, as well as her and Prince Philip's four children — Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Prince Philip passed away on April 9, 2021, after being admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital two months earlier with health concerns. Following his admission, the prince underwent surgery for a heart condition. One month later, on March 16, Buckingham Palace released a statement that announced the procedure was "successful." However, just less than one month after that, the Duke of Edinburgh would pass away at home with the queen in Windsor Castle. Members of the family have described his passing as peaceful. The death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, on April 9, 2021, has sent the United Kingdom into mourning, especially ardent supporters of the British monarchy.

Prince Philip's funeral is set to begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 17. As well as the queen, her and Prince Philip's children, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, other members of the royal family who are expected to attend include Prince Charles's wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne's husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and Prince Edward's wife, the Countess of Wessex. Additionally, William and Harry's royal cousins Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Peter Phillips, Zara and Mike Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn are all expected to attend.

After arriving in the U.K. at the beginning of the week from his home in California, Prince Harry has self-isolated at home in Frogmore Cottage. Marie Claire reports that the residence is also occupied by Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie, her husband Jack Brooksbank and their newborn son August.

The somber event will mark the first time Harry will be back on English soil after stepping down from the duties of a senior royal just a year ago, Metro reports. His wife Meghan Markle could not join him, as the couple is expecting their second child soon. Due to Markle being heavily pregnant, she has been advised by doctors not to fly during this time. It is understood, however, that she had made every effort to join her husband until her doctors did not give her clearance, as per the news outlet. One day before he arrived in the U.K., Harry released a moving statement in honor of his late grandfather.

As well as royal family members, Philip's loyal press secretary and long-standing aide, Brigadier Archie Miller Bakewell, will also attend the funeral, in line with the Duke of Edinburgh's wishes. However, he will not be sitting with the royal family in the chapel's quire. The public will be able to view the royal funeral, which begins at 3 p.m. local time and starts with a minute's silence, as it will be broadcast on BBC One.

The order of events will see Prince Philip's coffin driven via a modified Land Rover that he helped to design himself on a path beginning at the State Entrance of the Castle and leading to the West Steps of the Chapel. His coffin will be decorated in the Duke of Edinburgh's personal standard while his Naval cap and sword will be placed on top, along with flowers.

Carried by pallbearers at 2:40 p.m., the Prince of Wales and other royals will then walk in a procession at 2:45 p.m. behind the coffin along its route. Members of the Armed Forces will line the route, while other representatives that are associated with the Duke's regiments will take part as well.

Once the coffin reaches the West Steps, a group of Royal Marines will carry the coffin to the doors of the Chapel while a Royal Naval pipe band will play. This will precede the one minute of silence, which will be followed by an intimate service conducted by the Dean of Windsor David Conner and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Following the ceremony's end, Prince Philip's coffin will be laid to rest in the Royal Vault underneath the Chapel.

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