Prince Philip funeral: Mourners across UK observe a minute’s silence for Duke of Edinburgh
Nation falls silent: Mourners across Britain bow their heads for a minute’s quiet reflection at 3pm – the start of Prince Philip’s funeral
- Some 700 armed forces personnel bowed their heads in silence to mark the start of Prince Philip’s funeral
- Hundreds of mourners lining the streets of Windsor went quiet to remember the Duke of Edinburgh
- Queen will today say her final farewell to her ‘strength and stay’ after their extraordinary 73 years together
- The Duke of Edinburgh’s insignia, Field Marshal’s baton and RAF wings have been placed on the altar
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today led the nation in a minute’s silence for the Duke of Edinburgh.
Britons went quiet to remember the life of Prince Philip ahead of his funeral service at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle at 3pm today.
The silence was respectfully observed by around 1000 people outside the main gates of Windsor Castle, although it actually went on for four minutes with the crowd unsure when it should end.
Nervously, a few broke into applause for Prince Phillip before a topless protester streaked through the crowd.
As the clock above the castle tower struck 3pm people bowed their heads and stood still in respect to Prince Phillip. Police officers also bowed their heads along with security guards, shoppers and a few hundred who had come to witness the solemn day.
The massive media strong also stopped commentating and respected the tribute. The silence was only broken by a reporter from French television, reporting from the High Street, who appear to be shouting into a live television camera.
After the minute’s silence was over, the crowd broke into spontaneous clapping in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh.
In a statement posted just after the minute of silence at 3pm, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award wrote on Instagram: ‘Thank you, Your Royal Highness, for the incredible legacy you leave through (the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award), empowering young people across the world with the skills, confidence and resilience to make the most of life and make a difference to the world around them.’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson minute’s silence for the Duke of Edinburgh at Chequers
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon observes a minute’s silence outside Bute House in Edinburgh
John Houston, formerly of the Merchant Navy, and now flag bearer for the local British Legion, pauses for a period of silence outside The Norwich Gates at Sandringham House
Members of the household staff observed the minute’s silence at St George’s Chapel
A view of the gun salute at Edinburgh Castle, a single round was fired followed by a single round a minute later to begin and end the national minute silence
Pupils of Gordonstoun School stand during a minute’s silence in Elgin, Scotland
Pupils and staff from Gordonstoun school observe a three-minute silence in memory of former pupil Prince Philip
Gordonstoun school pupils cast a wreath into the Moray Firth from the Ocean Spirit in a tribute to former pupil Prince Philip
Retired Sergeant Alex Young observe’s a minute’s silence at The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in central England
London Black Cab taxi drivers observe a minute’s silence on The Mall in London
Cold water swimmers observe a minute’s silence during the funeral at the Brockwell Lido in London
Members of the duke’s close family, including Prince Charles and Prince William, stood at the bottom of the steps to St George’s Chapel for the minute’s silence to mark the start of the funeral
A moment of silence is held by commuters and staff in memory of Prince Philip at Newcastle’s Central Station
A minute silence was observed by fire crews at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, left, and the Police Federation, right
A man stands during a minute’s silence for the funeral of Britain’s Prince Philip in Windsor
Police officers observe a minute’s silence during the funeral of Britain’s Prince Philip
Crowds observe a minute’s silence outside Buckingham Palace during the funeral of Prince Philip
In Gibraltar the Governor, Chief Minister, Commander of the British Forces and The Speak observes a minute’s silence
People observe a minute’s silence at Piccadilly Circus in London
People observe a minute’s silence outside Buckingham Palace
Hundreds of people gathered outside Buckingham Palace to observe the minute’s silence
Presenter Rob Walker, Stephen Maguire, Jamie Jones and spectators observe a minute’s silence in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh during the Betfred World Snooker Championships 2021 at The Crucible, Sheffield
Drinkers at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Hull said the duke was ‘somebody you could have a pint with’, as they marked the minute’s silence and his funeral.
Alfie Stanford, 18, said: ‘I feel like he was a really iconic person and he spoke his mind more than anything else.’
Mr Stanford said: ‘He clearly didn’t want anything special but I feel like we do owe him a lot for his service to the Queen and definitely to his country.
‘I feel like everyone in the country should have marked the minute’s silence no matter where you was and whatever you were doing.
‘I feel you should have stopped and reflected on the man’s life.’
Mark Dawson, 43, said the duke was ‘a really good chap’ and ‘somebody you could have a pint with’.
He said: ‘The Duke of Edinburgh would have been a fitting place to have a drink with him.’
Mr Dawson said it was a ‘sombre moment’ but everyone wanted to remember ‘the good man that he was’.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s landlord, former soldier Mark Miller, said it was a shame the Covid restrictions limited how much the pub could mark the occasion.
He said: ‘He was colourful character in his time and there’ll be a lot of veterans sad to see him go.’
Mr Miller said there was no chance he would change the name of the pub following Philip’s death. ‘It’s a poignant name, we’re never going to change it,’ he said.
Drinkers at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Hull observe a minutes silence during the funeral
Members of the Royal Navy bow their heads outside St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
Members of the public observe a minute’s silence on the Long Walk in Windsor
Members of the public observe a minute’s silence on the Long Walk in Windsor
Mourners hold flowers as they observe the minute’s silence on the Long Walk in Windsor
Players of Norton Cricket club and Stokesley Cricket club observe two minute silence during their fixture in Norton, Middlesbrough
Commuters and LNER staff at the grand and imposing Central Station in Newcastle city centre stood still with their heads bowed to pay their respects to the duke.
Meanwhile, mourners gathered at the Tommy statue in Seaham, County Durham, to honour the Queen’s husband, who would have turned 100 this year.
Members of the Leeds PHAB Club observed the silence outside the Prince Philip Centre, which is named after the duke.
Philip visited the centre at least four times since he was instrumental in starting it in 1969. Just six members and volunteers gathered for a socially-distanced observance of the silence due to Covid restrictions. Ann Hart, honorary secretary of the PHAB club which brings together disabled and abled-bodied people from across Leeds, was among the group.
Mrs Hart, who met Philip three times, said: ‘He was just an absolutely fantastic man. He was really interested in anything you did. He wanted to know the be-all-and-end-all of everything.’
Shortly before the clock struck 3pm the melody of the Last Post had rung out above the ocean as a bugle player stood on the seafront, next to the figure of the World War One soldier.
The Queen wipes her eyes as she arrives behind her husband’s coffin as Prince Philip’s funeral began this afternoon
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Peter Phillips and Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge follow the hearse
The Duchess of Cambridge (far right) waits with members of the royal family Zara Tindall, Mike Tindall, Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi outside St George’s Chapel
The Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex, who have a troubled relationship, did not walk shoulder to shoulder with their cousin Peter Phillips between them
The Royal Family’s procession was led by Prince Charles and Princess Anne who looked emotional following the casket
Prince Philip’s coffin has emerged from Windsor Castle as the Royal Family joined the Queen in mourning her husband at his funeral
Guests arrive ahead of the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle today. Only 30, including the Queen, are allowed into the funeral
Sophie, Countess of Wessex arrives for the funeral service of Britain’s Prince Philip this afternoon. She will be joined by several family members
Members of the military marching in the Engine Court ahead of the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh in Windsor Castle
Sir David Attenborough seen walking with his daughter Susan Attenborough in Windsor just before the funeral of Prince Philip
A sombre Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arrived separately from her husband as the world watched Windsor
Prince Andrew was among the last royals to arrive, wearing a suit after a row over what uniform he wanted to wear
Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips, who recently had a baby named after the Duke of Edinburgh, drive into the castle this afternoon
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were smiling as they saw the crowds at Windsor as they arrived for the sad event
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was driven to the castle. He will praise Philip’s ‘life of service to the nation and Commonwealth’ at the service. Lady Penny Brabourne, the duke’s close friend and confidante, was also seen arriving
Philip’s favourite carriage arrives at Windsor, with his hat and gloved in his seat in a poignant scene
At a sunny Windsor Castle, deserted with no crowds allowed, the quadrangle was packed with bands playing the prince’s favourite songs and hymns including Jerusalem as his extraordinary Land Rover hearse arrived flanked by senior officers from the duke’s regiments.
Troops stood with their heads bowed as the Land Rover, upon which the coffin will be placed, was driven into the quadrangle while military bands played music selected by the duke.
At 11am his coffin, covered with Philip’s personal standard along with his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers, was moved from Her Majesty’s private chapel to the Inner Hall of Windsor Castle by members of The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
Minutes later a convoy of funeral cars swept the first mourners into the main gates as a single Queen’s Guard stood to attention, as soldiers on horses trotted into the grounds where 700 armed forces personnel have now gathered. Early guests arriving included The Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Lady Penny Brabourne, Philip’s close friend and confidante, and Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The castle has a ‘ring of steel’ protecting it led by armed units from the Metropolitan Police. Tens of millions of people in Britain and around the world will be watching the most important royal funeral since the Queen Mother died in 2002. The event, pared back because of the pandemic, was overseen by Philip for at least 20 years before his death.
Airmen of the Royal Air Force marching ahead of the funeral of Prince Philip
The Duke of Edinburgh’s casket was covered in his personal standard and carried his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers as pallbearers lowered him on to his extraordinary self-designed Land Rover hearse
The detachments of service personnel from the military units the duke had a special relationship with are now in position on the green of the castle’s quadrangle – while lining its edge are troops from the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards
Members of the military march ahead of the funeral service at Prince Philip’s Windsor home
The Foot Guards Band are seen marching as the world remembers the extraordinary 99-year life of Philip
Members of the Household Cavalry march past St George’s Chapel where Prince Philip’s funeral is taking place
The soldiers in full uniform march through the grounds of the castle ahead of the most significant royal funeral in decades
The Household Cavalry would normally be flanked by huge crowds of mourners, but today only a sea of flowers surrounded them
Her Majesty is determined to ensure it reflects his ‘unwavering loyalty’ to her during their 73-year marriage and her 68-year reign on the throne as well his lifetime of service to the UK and the Commonwealth in his 99-year life. Philip was the longest serving consort to a monarch in history, a record unlikely to be ever broken.
In pre-pandemic times thousands of mourners would have travelled to the Berkshire town to pay their respects, but the Royal Family, the Government and police are asking the public to stay away. However, it appears hundreds have defied the warnings and gathered to pay their respects in Windsor despite the risk of fines or even arrest.
People who knew Philip best have said he would be pleased about the smaller crowds because he always demanded ‘no fuss’ in the event of his death. People staying at home for the funeral decked their homes in Union Flags and pictures of the duke and his wife, with many enjoying traditional full English breakfasts or afternoon teas as they watched on TV.
The duke’s favourite driving carriage, accompanied by two of his grooms, was pulled by his two trusty black Fell ponies, Balmoral Nevis and Notlaw Storm, to stand in the Quadrangle, ready for the procession to pass by.
It was a poignant reminder of Philip’s love of the fast-paced sport, which he took up when he turned 50 and continued to enjoy non-competitively in his 90s.
The polished dark green aluminium and steel four-wheeled carriage was built to the duke’s exact specifications eight years ago, and he began using at the age of 91 for riding around Windsor and other royal estates.
The detachments of service personnel from the military units the duke had a special relationship with are now in position on the green of the castle’s quadrangle – while lining its edge are troops from the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards.
A few minutes later the Band of the Grenadier Guards, which will be at the head of the funeral procession, formed up in nearby Engine Court.
The Archbishop of Canterbury then arrived at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, ahead of the afternoon’s service.
The Most Rev Justin Welby will preside over the funeral alongside the Dean of Windsor.
They will receive the coffin after the minute’s silence marking the start of the funeral.
The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, said the funeral for the Duke of Edinburgh will be a ‘sombre moment’ but also a ‘celebratory moment’ of a life well-lived.
‘I think there won’t be a serviceman or servicewoman on parade today who won’t have their chest swelling with pride,’ he told Sky News.
‘We all have a huge regard for him. We have a huge regard for his wartime record and the care that he showed for veterans and for those still serving, and it’ll be a sombre moment for us, but it will also be a celebratory moment, I think, because it was a special life and a life that was well-lived.’
Speaking of the planning that has gone into the funeral proceedings, Lieutenant-Colonel James Greaves said the Armed Forces have been ‘leaning into this as much as we can’.
He told Sky News: ‘It’s been really full tilt ahead ever since we heard of His Royal Highness’s passing. We as a regiment, as the Grenadier Guards, we were straight away putting our bearer party front and centre, and just making sure that we were correctly prepared.
‘Collectively we’ve been training at Pirbright, it’s been socially distanced absolutely Covid-compliant, but clearly we have been leaning into this as much as we can.
‘We know how much His Royal Highness meant, not only to all of our regiments and units that are here on parade but also to the nation, so we are absolutely reflecting that which he gave to us we would like to give back to him today.’
Five coaches each carrying dozens of people in military uniforms earlier drove into the main entrance at Windsor Castle. The large white vehicles drove in just after 12.30pm on Saturday.
Traffic on the high street was temporarily blocked off by police officers on motorbikes while pedestrians were halted by stewards.
Staff close to the castle had a difficult time ensuring pedestrians were keeping the pathways clear after the coaches had driven in.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said his thoughts are with the Queen and royal family ahead of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
He tweeted: ‘Yesterday, I met inspiring young people completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. They told me about the confidence, experience and skills they’ve gained thanks to the scheme. It’s a remarkable legacy for Prince Philip to leave our country.
‘Today, my thoughts are with The Queen, everyone in the royal family and the British people who will be mourning and remembering Prince Philip.’
Five coaches each carrying dozens of people in military uniforms were driven into the main entrance at Windsor Castle as the funeral edged closer.
Early this morning members of the armed forces, police, security and the media were taking up positions around the castle ahead of this afternoon’s ceremony.
While much of the typical pageantry has been pared back, Buckingham Palace says the funeral will still reflect Philip’s life of service and the plans he himself spent years fine-tuning.
Right down to the bespoke Land Rover hearse to carry his own coffin, the event – code-named Operation Forth Bridge – will be executed with military precision, leading up to the 3pm service at St George’s Chapel.
The first glimpses inside the chapel shows the Duke’s insignia, Field Marshal’s baton, RAF wings and decorations from Denmark and Greece resting on cushions at the altar.
The Queen, 94, will say a private farewell to her husband, who she once called her ‘strength and stay’, before his body is driven to the chapel tailed by a small procession including Philip’s four children and three grandsons.
Sources say she has been the ‘epitome of dignity’ this week, and the Archbishop of Canterbury paid tribute to her ‘extraordinary dignity and courage’.
Justin Welby, who will praise Philip’s ‘life of service to the nation and Commonwealth’ at the service, added that he hoped the nation prayed for her and ‘hope for her to find strength in what must be an anguished moment’.
This is the funeral procession for tomorrow’s funeral, where William and Harry will not stand next to eachother with the Queen following behind in her car
The Dean of Windsor, in the Bidding, will celebrate Philip’s ‘unwavering loyalty to our Queen’ and ‘his service to the nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith’.
The sun shone on Windsor this morning, drawing people to the high street.
Signs have been erected around the town urging members of the public to stay away from Windsor and other royal residences.
Police patrols have been stepped up to enforce Covid rules, which ban large gatherings. Marshals have also been drafted in to help and were seen trooping through the town in high-vis jackets.
As with all royal events, there was tight security and police divers were pictured searching a drain near the grounds, while snipers kept watch on rooftops.
Reporters were struck by how quiet Windsor was this morning, drawing contrast with past major events such as Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding when the streets were filled with royal fans waving flags.
A police sergeant told MailOnline: ‘It certainly looks like the Royal Family and Prince Phillip have been given the upmost respect.
‘Its 9am and I haven’t talked to one person who has come here to be at the castle today. I think people realise they’re better off at home watching the funeral on television.’
Trains into Windsor from Waterloo and Paddington were empty. A member of the station staff said: ‘Whenever there is a Royal occasion here, you get people sleeping overnight and certainly by 9am every train is packed.
‘Today there hasn’t been a single person who has passed through here to stand outside the castle.’
