How can I watch Prince Philip’s funeral and who are the 30 guests attending? Full timeline of events and how you can mark it in Sheffield

After eight days of mourning, Prince Philip’s funeral will take place as a private ceremony at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The ceremonial arrangements for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral are set to reflect military affiliations and personal elements of his life.

Usually there would be a huge procession with more than 800 people in attendance, however due to the pandemic restrictions the funeral will be limited in size.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The congregation will wear masks for the service and members of the royal family will be wearing morning coat with medals or day dress.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh smiles during a visit to the headquarters of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force's (RAuxAF) 603 Squadron (Photo by Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh smiles during a visit to the headquarters of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force's (RAuxAF) 603 Squadron (Photo by Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh smiles during a visit to the headquarters of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force's (RAuxAF) 603 Squadron (Photo by Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

For the past week, since his death on April 9, Philip has been lying at rest in the private chapel in Windsor Castle.

How can you watch the royal funeral?

BBC One Sky, and ITN will begin their coverage of the ceremony at 12:30 p.m.

You can watch the proceedings by tuning in to any of these channels.

Flags flying at half mast at Sheffield Town Hall in tribute to HRH Prince Philip who has died. Picture: Chris EtchellsFlags flying at half mast at Sheffield Town Hall in tribute to HRH Prince Philip who has died. Picture: Chris Etchells
Flags flying at half mast at Sheffield Town Hall in tribute to HRH Prince Philip who has died. Picture: Chris Etchells

Who is on the guest list?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Just 30 people will attend, instead of 800 as originally planned.

They will include all Philip’s children and grandchildren plus their spouses, the children of the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret, and three of Philip’s German relatives: Bernhard, Hereditary Prince of Baden; Prince Donatus, Landgrave of Hesse; and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

Also invited is a close friend of Philip’s, the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Penelope “Penny” Knatchbull, who was previously known as Lady Romsey and later Lady Brabourne, and was the duke’s carriage driving partner.

Prince PhilipPrince Philip
Prince Philip

Will anything be happening in Sheffield?

To mark the passing of Prince Philip, a service is to be held at Sheffield Cathedral at 7.30pm today (Friday April 16), the day before the state funeral.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The service will be will be attended by representatives across Sheffield South Yorkshire, including Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Andrew Coombes.

The service, which will not be open to the public, will be streamed live on Sheffield Cathedral’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Due to the pandemic restrictions, a physical book of condolences cannot be offered by the council, which is what would usually happen.

Instead, you can submit a message of condolence online here and in lieu of floral tributes it has been suggested people make a charitable donation to one of the Duke of Edinburgh’s patronages.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Timings for the events which make up the funeral on Saturday

The official royal funeral will take place on Saturday, April 17.

– 1100am. The coffin, which will be covered with Philip’s personal standard along with his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers, will be moved from the private chapel to the Inner Hall of Windsor Castle by members of The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

– 2pm. The Lord Chamberlain, the Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle and the Dean of Windsor will be present in the Inner Hall.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

– 2.10pm. The Dean will say prayers before leaving by car to St George’s Chapel.

– By 2.15pm. Representatives from the services are in place in the Quadrangle to show Philip’s special military relationships. The Quadrangle will also be lined by the Household Cavalry and The Foot Guards.

– 2.17pm. The band of the Grenadier Guards will be in Engine Court.

– Between 2.20pm and 2.27pm. Members of the royal family and Philip’s relatives who are not taking part in the procession will leave Windsor Castle by car to make the journey to the chapel.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

– 2.27pm. The Land Rover, upon which the coffin will be placed, enters the Quadrangle via George IV Gate where bands at the site begin to play music.

The pall bearers take up position either side of the Land Rover and together they move towards the State Entrance.

– 2.38pm. The coffin is lifted in the Inner Hall.

– 2.40pm. Members of Philip’s household take up their positions in the procession and the bands stop playing music.

– 2.41pm The coffin emerges from the State Entrance and is met by members of the royal family who are walking in the procession. A royal salute is given.The coffin is placed on to the Land Rover.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

– 2.44pm. The Queen, accompanied by a lady-in-waiting, leaves from the Sovereign’s Entrance in the State Bentley as the national anthem is played. The Bentley will pause as it reaches the rear of the procession so the front section of the procession can turn to face the direction of travel.

– 2.45pm. The procession, which is planned to take eight minutes, sets off.

The firing of minute guns by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn and the sound of the Curfew Tower Bell will form the backdrop as members of the royal family who are already at St George’s Chapel stand to view the procession.

The Queen will be received by the Dean of Windsor who will show the mourners at the service, including those who have been watching the procession, to their seats.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A royal salute is given by the Windsor Castle Guard as the coffin passes the Parade Ground.

– 2.53pm. The Land Rover arrives at the foot of the West Steps of the chapel.

A Royal Navy piping party will sound once the Land Rover stops and the pall bearers take their positions.

The coffin will be carried up the steps and halt on the second landing as members of the royal family take their positions on the steps.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

– 3pm. The National Minute’s Silence, signalled by a gun fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, takes place.

After the minute’s silence, the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury receive the coffin which has been followed by the members of the royal family who have walked in the procession.

The coffin is placed on the Catafalque in the Quire and members of the royal family who have walked in the procession will take their places for the service which is set to last 50 minutes and will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor.

The Dean will give the commendation as the coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A lament will then be played by a Pipe Major of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The piper will walk from the North Quire Aisle to The Dean’s Cloister.

The Last Post will be sounded by buglers of the Royal Marines from the west end of the Nave.

After a period of silence, the Reveille will be sounded by the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry from the west end of the Nave. The buglers of the Royal Marines will sound Action Stations and this is at the specific request of The Duke of Edinburgh. The Archbishop of Canterbury will pronounce the Blessing, after which the national anthem will be sung by the four singers present.

– After the service, the Queen and members of the royal family and Philip’s relatives will leave the chapel via the Galilee Porch.

Related topics: