Prince Philip's Funeral Concludes Quietly... Interred at Royal Burial Ground

Only 30 Direct Royal Family Members Attend Due to COVID-19
Prince Harry Attends Funeral Alone Without Meghan

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The funeral of Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, was held quietly with only 30 direct royal relatives attending due to COVID-19 quarantine measures. Prince Philip was laid to rest in the royal cemetery within Windsor Castle. It is also reported that Prince Harry, who had left for the United States following a rift with the British royal family, attended the funeral alone.

According to local British media including the BBC on the 17th (local time), Prince Philip's funeral was held in the afternoon at Windsor Castle on the outskirts of London. Prince Philip, who passed away on the 9th about two months before his 100th birthday, was interred in the royal cemetery beneath St. George's Chapel within Windsor Castle. Earlier, the Queen and her husband had been residing at Windsor Castle since early last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funeral was significantly scaled down due to COVID-19 quarantine measures, with only the Queen, her children, and about 30 close direct family members and relatives attending. All events that could gather large crowds, including memorial visits, were completely omitted. Instead, the funeral was broadcast on TV and radio, and a nationwide one-minute moment of silence was observed at the start of the funeral, accompanied by gun salutes. The official mourning period also ended with this funeral. At the funeral venue, all attendees wore masks and maintained social distancing, and the Queen had to sit alone.

Prince Philip had meticulously planned his own funeral for over 20 years. The hearse used for the procession was a modified Land Rover. The Land Rover modification project lasted 16 years starting in 2003, and Prince Philip was reportedly involved in even the detailed painting. Nine direct family members, including Prince Charles, walked alongside the hearse for eight minutes, with the Queen following behind in a vehicle. The funeral procession was escorted by infantry and marine units.

Prince Harry, who had left for the United States after a fallout with the royal family, also returned to attend the funeral. He came alone without his pregnant wife, Meghan Markle. Markle is reported to have watched the funeral on TV. Attention is focused on whether Prince Harry, who recently made explosive remarks in interviews about the background of his split from the royal family, and his elder brother Prince William will reconcile through this funeral.