Princess Anne Walked Alongside Brother Charles As Sole Woman In Prince Philip’s Funeral Procession

Apr 21, 2021

Princess Anne was a prominent figure, taking a very important position in her father’s funeral procession on Saturday, April 17. Her father, Prince Philip, passed away at 99-years-old the previous week. She was the sole woman in the procession, walking alongside her older brother Prince Charles. The siblings walked directly behind their father’s coffin. The royal family scheduled a funeral that had a limited number of guests due to the current coronavirus pandemic. 

The youngest brothers in the royal family, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, made up the second line of the procession. The Duke of Edinburgh’s three grandsons, Prince William, Prince Harry and Peter Phillips, followed directly behind Andrew and Edward. The moment was bittersweet for the family. Since Harry and his wife Meghan Markle departed as senior working members of the royal family in March 2020, this is the first time that Harry and his family have been reunited.

It is typically tradition for only men to participate in royal funeral processions. Anne, however, is the only daughter of Phillip and Queen Elizabeth, and has also previously taken on the role of processor during the funeral for her grandmother, the Queen Mother, in 2002. 

The family made their way from behind a custom built Land Rover, designed by Philip himself, from the State Entrance of Windsor Castle up to St. George’s Chapel. Philip has been interred at the queen's private chapel in Windsor Castle. The grief of Philip’s passing has been deep in the United Kingdom, but his family is also sharing the happier times spent with him.

According to an article from People Magazine posted two days prior to the funeral that none of the senior family members were asked to wear their traditional military uniforms at the funeral, which was a break from the long-held tradition. They were instead instructed to wear mourning dress in place of military uniforms, likely because Prince Harry could not wear his uniform since leaving his post as a senior working member of the royal family.

Anne followed the dress code guidelines and wore a black jacket adorned with her military medals. She is a royal colonel of the Household Division and managed to stay true to the tradition of showing military rank while fitting in with the royal family’s guidelines.

Although the funeral was small, the love and abundance of family was ever-present. The queen had been receiving regular visits from her family leading up to Philip’s death. According to the Daily Mail, several of the queen’s children and extended family had been paying their respects. Edward, the youngest son, and his wife Sophie Wessex had shown their love and support for Elizabeth. Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, also showed up to give her love to her extended family. 

Although she was surrounded by friends and family, the widowed Queen sat alone during the funeral according to the Daily Mail. Since Philip's death, there have been a significant number of tributes and condolences pouring in. His singular and incredible life continues to be remembered and celebrated by his family. Anne also shared a touching statement on the royal family’s Instagram page following her father’s death. 

The statement read as follows:

“You know it’s going to happen but you are never really ready. My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic, but mostly it is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate. His ability to treat every person as an individual in their own right with their own skills comes through all the organisations with which he was involved.”

Anne continued her kind words, having wrote, “I regard it as an honour and a privilege to have been asked to follow in his footsteps and it has been a pleasure to have kept him in touch with their activities. I know how much he meant to them, in the UK, across the Commonwealth and in the wider world.”

She ended her note about her father’s passing with words of endearment for those who have sent their love or spoken kind words about her father. She wrote, “I would like to emphasise how much the family appreciate the messages and memories of so many people whose lives he also touched. We will miss him but he leaves a legacy which can inspire us all.”

With the passing of Philip came a wave of grief and sorrow for the family, especially for his wife Elizabeth. The pair had remained each other’s steadfast companions, supporting one another through good times and bad. In the future when Elizabeth passes away, she will be buried alongside her late husband, and Philip will be moved from where he is currently buried. Philip will then be transferred to the church’s King George VI memorial chapel, where Elizabeth’s parents are buried.

Losing a relative is never easy, but Anne courageously and prominently attended her late father’s funeral. What do you think about the Royal Family breaking tradition in Prince Philip’s honor? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your friends and family.