Queen Orders Everyone To Wear Suits For Philip's Funeral In Order To Spare Harry From Humiliation

Apr 17, 2021

News broke on Thursday, April 15, that members of the royal family will wear suits on Saturday at Prince Philip’s St. George Chapel funeral. As Sky News reports, the decision, reportedly approved by Queen Elizabeth II herself, is a departure from the tradition wherein those who have served in the military and hold rank wear their uniforms at official state occasions, such as Philip’s upcoming funeral. 

The announcement came after reports that Prince Harry, who lost his military titles after officially relinquishing his royal duties, was thought to be one of the only family members not dressed in uniform. Due to his special status, Harry would have only been able to wear a suit with medals. Meanwhile, Prince Andrew and Prince Charles had been planning on wearing military uniforms in connection with their service in the Royal Navy before the change in wardrobe requirements.

The Lord Chamberlain, Baron Parker, is in charge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral arrangements, according to Sky News. The ceremony on Saturday will take place at Windsor Castle’s St. George Chapel in the English county of Berkshire. Although around 800 people would have attended the ceremony under normal circumstances, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the royal family to plan a smaller service of only 30 people, excluding Prime Minister Boris Johnson and ruling out a public procession.

Harry was, as Sky News reported on April 13, currently in quarantine after flying into the U.K. from his new home in California. Meghan Markle, Harry’s wife, is pregnant and will not be attending the ceremony given that she did not receive medical clearance, as Insider reports.

Buckingham Palace’s statement regarding the royal family’s decision to break from the tradition of wearing military dress at public occasions was brief and to-the-point.

“Members of the royal family will be wearing morning coat with medals or day dress. That’s to say members of the royal family will not be in military uniform,” a spokesperson said, according to The Guardian.

The same spokesperson would not speak to the details or reasons behind the decision, simply replying, “All arrangements have been signed off by Her Majesty.”

While the public won’t be able to take in a procession — and while fewer guests are permitted to attend the ceremony in person — major news outlets like Sky News will televise the funeral.

According to Sky News’ preliminary information regarding funeral plans, Philip's coffin will emerge at 2:40 p.m. (BST) from Windsor Castle’s state entrance. The Dean of Windsor, the Lord Chamberlain and the first Battalion Grenadier Guards will accompany Philip’s coffin to the entrance, where it will be put onto a specially designed car. From there, the coffin will be transported to the nearby chapel.

Following Philip’s funeral, the Duke of Edinburgh will be buried at the Royal Vault of St. George’s Chapel until the queen’s death. Once the queen has passed on, they will both be buried at King George VI memorial chapel, according to Sky News.

Philip, Elizabeth's husband, died at age 99 on April 9, according to a Buckingham Palace announcement. Having been married to the queen for more than 70 years, he was the longest-serving consort of any British monarch.

In Britain, flags around the country hung at half-mast that day in mourning of the royal family’s loss.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” Buckingham Palace wrote in an initial statement posted online that has since been removed.

“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will (be) made in due course. The Royal Family join(s) with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, retired from his royal duties in 2017 at the age of 95, removing himself from the public eye. Before stepping back, he was considered one of the busiest royals, having had more than 22,000 solo appearances, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. However, since his retirement, his health has deteriorated. In 2018, he underwent hip surgery ahead of Harry and Markle’s wedding. Less than a year later, Philip was also in a car accident, which led to him voluntarily relinquishing his license.

Philip was also admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in London on Feb. 16 on a precautionary basis since he reportedly felt unwell. Following his admission, the prince underwent surgery for a heart condition.

Buckingham Palace released a statement following his March 16 release from the hospital that called the procedure “successful.”

In an oft-quoted speech on the date of the queen and Philip’s 50th wedding anniversary in 1997, the queen called her husband her “strength and stay.”

“He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments,” the queen said. “But he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know."

Rest in peace, Prince Philip. What do you think of the Queen’s decision? Should she have stuck with the royal tradition, or is it good that she’s accommodating Prince Harry? Let us know — and be sure to pass this story on to friends and family members.