What is the Royal Navy Piping Party?
DETAILS of Prince Philip’s funeral will reflect both his military affiliations and personal elements of his life.
The Queen is set to bid a final farewell to her husband of 73 years today (Saturday, April 17) following the Duke of Edinburgh‘s death at the age of 99.
Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates
What is the Royal Navy Piping Party?
In a nod to Prince Philip’s naval service, the six-strong Royal Navy Piping Party will be part of his funeral proceedings.
The Royal Navy Piping Party present will be made up of one Chief Petty Officer and five Ratings.
The Duke of Edinburgh was a Royal Navy man before he became involved with Princess Elizabeth and eventually became part of the Royal Family.
Philip completed a term as a cadet at the Royal Naval College, in Dartmouth, before entering into training for the Royal Navy.
He became one of the youngest First Lieutenants in the Royal Navy, aged 21.
During the Second World War, Philip served with distinction in the Mediterranean and British Pacific fleets.
Two of his brothers-in-law, Prince Christoph of Hesse and Berthold, Margrave of Baden, fought on the opposing German side.
The Duke gave up active service with the Royal Navy in 1951 after a distinguished career.
But he remained closely associated with the Navy for the rest of his life.
What time is the Royal Navy Piping Party for Prince Philip’s funeral?
The Duke will be given a military funeral, with a private service held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle and burial in Frogmore Gardens.
In line with the Duke’s wishes, he 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.
Sadly there will be no public procession.
The ceremonial procession will set off from the state entrance at 14.45pm with the Prince of Wales and members of Royal Family following on foot behind the coffin.
Prince Philip’s coffin will be carried in a modified military green Land Rover that he had a hand in designing.
The procession to St George’s chapel is expected to take around eight minutes.
The Royal Navy Piping Party will pipe the “Still” once the Land Rover reaches the West Steps of the chapel.
This will be at about 14.53pm.
Bearers from the Royal Marines will then lift the coffin and proceed up the steps, halting on the second landing.
The Piping Party will then pipe the “Side”.
A national minute’s silence will be held at 3pm as the coffin is carried into the chapel, with the Piping Party piping the “Carry On”.
The hearse will be flanked by pallbearers drawn from the Duke’s special relationships, including the Royal Marines.
Only members of the Royal Family, plus the Duke’s own private secretary, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the Dean of Windsor and the pallbearers, will be permitted to enter along with the coffin.
Buckingham Palace revealed the list of attendees on Thursday.
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Philip’s immediate family – including the Queen, Princess Anne, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – obviously top the list of mourners.
All of the duke’s grandchildren and their spouses – including William, Harry, Eugenie and Beatrice – will also be attending.
Three of Philip’s German relatives – Bernhard, the Hereditary Prince of Baden; Donatus, Prince and Landgrave of Hesse; and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg – are among the attendees.