Prince Philip wake: who will be the 15 guests invited to the final farewell to the Duke of Edinburgh?
THE Royal Family will give Prince Philip a royal send-off like no other at his funeral today.
However while 30 mourners can attend the service, only 15 will be able to the wake.
Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates
The list is thought to include the Queen and Philip’s immediate family – Princess Anne, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
Most of the duke’s grandchildren – Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall – will likely also make the list.
Camilla, Kate Middleton and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, are thought to take the numbers up the 14.
And the fifteenth spot is thought to go to the Queen’s first cousin Princess Alexandra.
The numbers are limited due to strict coronavirus restrictions only permitting 30 to attend a service and 15 a wake.
Covid has meant Philip’s entire send-off has been scaled down, but it will still be a day to remember.
It comes as…
- Prince Harry and William won’t stand near each other at Philip’s funeral on Saturday
- The full guest list of 30 attendees was revealed
- The Queen will sit alone after arriving in a Bentley with a Lady in Waiting
- The pall bearers at Prince Philip’s funeral will be members of the Royal Marines
- Pregnant Meghan Markle will make ‘private arrangements’ to mark the funeral
- A band of military personnel will walk in front of Prince Philip’s coffin
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said : “While clearly the plans have been modified to take into account public health guidelines, the ceremonial aspects of the day and the funeral service itself are still very much in line with the Duke’s wishes.”
Philip will make his final journey in a Land Rover hearse he designed himself to St George’s chapel at Windsor Castle.
Charles will lead the procession and will be met by 30 guests for the historic occasion.
However, Harry and William won’t stand next to each other at the funeral, having Peter Phillips in between them.
And in line with the Duke’s wishes, Prince Philip will be laid to rest in a ceremonial – rather than state – funeral.
Action Stations, sounded on naval warships to signal all hands must go to battle stations, will be played at the request of the Duke.
Buglers of the Royal Marines will perform the wartime alert, a tradition sometimes associated with naval funerals, in honour of Philip’s active service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
And the Last Post will be played to signify “a soldier has gone to his final rest”.
Buckingham Palace revealed the list of attendees on Thursday.
It includes the 15 thought to be invited to the wake, plus 15 other close family members and friends.
Guests will be banned from singing at the service due to coronavirus rules, but a choir will perform.
It was revealed by a Buckingham Palace spokesperson that: “Family will be wearing Morning Coat with medals or Day Dress.
“Members of the Royal Family will not be in military uniform.”
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This comes after the Duke of Sussex had faced the humiliating prospect of being the only senior man in the royal family wearing civvies after losing his honorary ranks.
There was also said to be “serious Navy displeasure” at being dragged into a row over Prince Andrew possibly wearing an admiral’s uniform.