Full Order of Service for Prince Philip’s funeral revealed
The music, readings and prayers will honour his love of the sea with maritime-themed hymns, Bible verses and prayers.
The full order of service for Prince Philip’s funeral has been announced.
The music, readings and prayers will honour his love of the sea with maritime-themed hymns, Bible verses and prayers.
The Duke of Edinburgh helped arrange every detail of his funeral, though plans had to be adapted last minute to fit Covid-regulations.
Just 30 guests, all close family to the duke, will attend the service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, compared to the 800 that was previously planned for.
The reduced ceremony, however, may help create the ‘no-fuss’ ceremony Prince Philip famously desired.
The full Order of Service for Prince Philip’s funeral
The funeral will start at 3pm, when there will be a national minute’s silence.
During the service, a choir of four singers (three of whom are Lay Clerks of St George’s Chapel Choir) will be conducted by James Vivian and the organ will be played by Luke Bond.
Music before the service will include:
- Schmucke dich, o liebe Seele BWV 654 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
- Adagio espressivo (Sonata in A minor) – Sir William Harris (1883-1973)
- Salix (The Plymouth Suite) – Percy Whitlock (1903-1946)
- Berceuse (Op 31 No. 19) – Louis Vierne (1870-1937)
- Rhosymedre (Three Preludes founded on Welsh Hymn Tunes) – Ralph Vaughan Williams – (1872-1958)
The funeral will be led by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Conner, while the blessing will be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
The Royal Family and other guests will view the procession from St George’s Chapel and await the Queen’s arrival and the Land Rover hearse designed by the duke.
Prince Philip’s coffin will be taken from the Land Rover and carried to the West Steps, where it will rest for the national minute’s silence at 3pm.
Afterward, the coffin will be carried into the chapel to the sound of the choir singing.
The Sentences – three short readings, will be read out as the service starts, before the Dean of Windsor says the bidding, honouring Philip’s ‘unwavering loyalty’ to the Queen.
THE BIDDING
The Dean of Windsor shall say:
‘We are here today in St George’s Chapel to commit into the hands of God the soul of his servant Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. With grateful hearts, we remember the many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us. We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the Nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith.
‘Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humour and humanity. We therefore pray that God will give us grace to follow his example, and that, with our brother Philip, at the last, we shall know the joys of life eternal.’
A choir will then sing Eternal Father, Strong To Save, which has a strong association with the Royal Navy.
It was personally chosen by the Duke and is special to him as it was also sung at the funeral of his beloved uncle, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, who was murdered by the IRA in 1979.
The song will be followed by The First Lesson: Ecclesiasticus 43. 11-26, read by the Dean of Windsor.
The choir will then sing another song, The Jubilate.
This will be followed by the Second Lesson, John 11. 21-27, read by the Archbishop of Canterbury
PSALM 104
The Duke of Edinburgh requested that Psalm 104 should be set to music by William Lovelady.
Originally composed as a cantata in three movements, it was first sung in honour of His Royal Highness’s 75th Birthday.
It tells of ‘Lord of heaven, in majesty and honour clothed … seas he made to be its robe’ and waters rising above the highest mountain.
Psalm 104 will be followed by a series of prayer rituals: The Lesser Litany, The Lord’s Prayer, the Responses and the Collect.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and Dean of Windsor will read further prayers.
Among the prayers, the dean will ask for the duke to be granted the ‘ancient promise’ that God will be with those who ‘go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters’.
This is in keeping with Philip’s desire that his service reflect his military career and love of the sea.
The coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault and the Dean of Windsor shall say the Commendation.
Afterwards, the Pipe Major of The Royal Regiment of Scotland plays a lament.
The Buglers of the Royal Marines will then sound the Last Post, a cavalry trumpet call to commemorate army officers who have died.
After a period of silence the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry sound the
Reveille, a bugle call associated with the military.
The Buglers of the Royal Marine will sound Action Stations before the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounces The Blessing.
The congregation will stand as the choir sings the National Anthem.
The Queen, Members of the Royal Family and Members of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Family will leave the Chapel via the Galilee Porch escorted by the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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