British Royal Family news teases that Queen Elizabeth II is in mourning over the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, at 99. The news came from Buckingham Palace on April 9, which shared that the Duke of Edinburgh “passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
Learn what happens next for Elizabeth and the royal family, from funeral plans to how Britain will honor Prince Philip’s life to Instagram.
Royal Family News: Queen Elizabeth II, A 65-Year Marriage Honored On Instagram
Even as Britain joins Queen Elizabeth in grieving the loss, the royal family’s Instagram quickly changed to honor his legacy. And one of the most moving photos was also the simplest, showing Elizabeth and Philip together.
The caption quoted the Queen about her love for her husband.
.. said Elizabeth about Philip in 1997.
The Instagram post also recalled the coronation of the Queen in 1953, when the Duke of Edinburgh took a vow to become Elizabeth’s “liege man of life and limb.”
Other posts included a video of the gun salutes honoring Prince Philip. The salute, which featured 41 rounds for 40 minutes, also included the toiling of the Curfew Tower Bell at Windsor Castle. It rang 99 times for every year of Philip’s life.
The Royal website also created an Online Book of Condolence for those who wanted to express their condolences.
Royal Family News: Inside Prince Philip’s Funeral Plans And The Mourning Period
For eight days, Queen Elizabeth II will be in a period of mourning. That means she will not participate in any royal duties.
The staff at Buckingham Palace as well as state affairs will halt to show respect for Philip as well. Honoring the Duke, official flags will fly at half-mast until the day after his funeral.
Set to be televised, the royal funeral is set for Saturday, April 17, at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, according to the BBC. The ceremony will be held according to Philip’s wishes, which means that he will not lie in state for the public to view.
Queen Elizabeth’s husband will be at rest in Windsor Castle’s private chapel until the funeral. His personal flag rests on his coffin, showing different aspects of his life such as his British titles.
Although the Duke has Greek heritage, he stepped down from those titles and became a citizen of Britain, using his mother’s name, Mountbatten, which is also shown on the flag.
The ceremonial rather than state funeral will have to include restrictions based on the coronavirus pandemic, such as limitations on the size of the crowd. The Palace has emphasized that the funeral will be designed to reflect “the duke’s wishes.”
Events for the funeral day include:
● Moving the coffin from the private chapel to the State Entrance of Windsor Castle
● Using a modified Land Rover designed by Philip to carry the coffin to St. George’s Chapel
● Holding an eight-minute procession led by the band of the Grenadier Guards
Although pallbearers from the Royal Marines are to accompany the Land Rover, the Royal Family members will walk behind the coffin. The Queen, however, will be traveling alone to the chapel for the service.
