Britain pauses for national minute’s silence to honour Prince Philip on day of mourning
BRITAIN bowed its head for a minute’s silence today as the nation honoured Prince Philip on a day of mourning.
The Duke of Edinburgh – Britain’s longest-serving consort – is being laid to rest at St George’s Chapel in Windsor this afternoon.
Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates
A national minute’s silence was held across the country at 3pm today, marked by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery gun.
Mourners up and down the country stood still to pay their respects, while members of the Royal Family paused in reflection outside St George’s Chapel.
The duke’s coffin was carried up the steps as bearers came to a halt on the second landing for the minute’s quiet.
It comes as:
- Harry and William will be reunited before the funeral for the first time in a year
- Meghan Markle is going to watch the service on a live stream from the US
- The funeral will be scaled-back due to Covid but the duke’s personality is peppered throughout
- The full route his coffin will take on his final journey has been revealed
- A ring of steel has been placed around Windsor as cops search drains and comb the river
- Senior royals including Prince William have started arriving at Windsor Castle
The end of the silence was marked by another gun from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, as the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin was taken into the chapel.
The Band of the Grenadier Guards, followed by the Major General commanding the Household Division, began leading the funeral procession at 2.45pm today.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin was followed through the grounds of Windsor Castle, with Philip’s children, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Prince Charles in tow.
The national anthem rang out as the Queen – joined by a Lady-in-Waiting – was taken in a Bentley to St George’s Chapel.
She is expected to sit alone during the service but will pause at his coffin to bid her beloved husband of 73 years farewell as he is laid to rest.
The sombre proceedings started at 11am today when the duke’s coffin was moved from the private chapel to the Inner Hall of Windsor Castle.
It was then taken by the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, where Philip was a colonel for 42 years.
From there, Philip was placed in the modified military green Land Rover he spent 16 years adapting to take him on his final journey.
Philip’s casket is covered with his personal standard along with his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers.
Buglers from the Royal Marines today sounded Action Stations to reflect Philip’s life-long association with the Royal Navy.
The song is played on a warship to signal all hands should go to battle stations and is sometimes featured at the funerals of naval men.
Earlier Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Charles have arrived at Windsor Castle as they prepare to say a final farewell to Prince Philip.
Kate was dressed all in black with a netted veil covering her face mask. She is also wearing a stunning pearl necklace belonging to the Queen and drop earrings.
The necklace was also worn by Princess Diana in a touching nod to her late mother-in-law.
Meanwhile William looked sombre in a black suit and black tie, teamed with a face mask.
His dad Prince Charles was pictured in a Tesla arriving at Windsor Castle with wife Camilla, followd by his younger brother Prince Andrew.
Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have also been driven to meet with the family ahead of the funeral.
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