Princes William and Harry will ‘stand shoulder to shoulder’ at Philip’s funeral

Princes William and Harry will reunite as they walk behind their grandfather’s coffin at his funeral next Saturday.

The brothers could stand shoulder to shoulder as they form part of the royal procession at the service for the Duke of Edinburgh next Saturday. 

It will be the first time the pair will be seen together since Harry’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey – in which he claimed his older brother was ‘trapped’ inside the Monarchy.  

However, the Duchess of Sussex, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child, will not be attending following medical advice. 

Harry’s attendance could be his chance to repair the ‘deep damage’ caused by his and Meghan’s sit-down with Oprah, royal experts said today – as he spoke to senior members of the Royal Family ahead of his return to Britain. 

The Duke will be taken to the chapel on a Land Rover he helped to design, and will be flanked by pall bearers from the Royal Marines, Regiments, Corps and Air Stations.

Immediately behind the Land Rover, the Prince of Wales and other members of the family, likely to be the duke’s other children and some of his grandchildren including Harry and William, will proceed on foot.

Whether the unity will prove more than a public façade remains to be seen, but some royal sources hope that the brothers’ first meeting for more than a year could lead to some kind of reconciliation. 

The Duke of Sussex will make the journey from the couple’s home in California and will be following Covid-19 protocols for the trip, as well as during his visit. 

He is making arrangements for his first trip home since the pair quit royal life and moved out to the US.   

Harry has already spoken to family members including Prince Charles, Beatrice and Eugenie, according to The Mirror. A source said: ‘He said he wants to be with everyone and was already making arrangements to come home.’  

Five-bedroom Frogmore House, the Sussexes’ where Archie spent the first few months of his life, is currently on loan to Princess Eugenie, 31, and her husband Jack Brooksbank, so could be where Harry stays while attending the funeral.  

Penny Junor told MailOnline: ‘My hope is that if something good can come out of the Duke’s death it will be that it brings the family together. But clearly there is a lot of hurt there on all sides, and I imagine they will all be feeling apprehensive about seeing one another again. 

‘With luck, their desire to support the Queen and pull together for her sake, which I am sure is what the Duke would have wanted, will win the day.’ 

Meanwhile, Richard Fitzwilliams, said a ‘show of unity’ was vital for repairing relations after the ‘very damaging’ Oprah revelations, as he pointed to the strong relationship between Harry and his grandfather. 

‘Harry will undoubtedly want to be there and this might start a process which helped to heal the current royal rift,’ he said. ‘His grandfather would undoubtedly welcome it if the monarchy, the institution he spent his life supporting, was strengthened as a result of the start of a reconciliation which began after his death.’

Their comments were echoed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, who said gathering for Philip’s funeral could allow the family to have ‘a comparative bit of privacy’ together. 

Also today, Prince Charles paid tribute to his ‘dear Papa’ as he spoke for the first time following news of his father Prince Philip’s death yesterday morning.

In a pre-recorded video message, the Prince of Wales said his father had given ‘the most remarkable, devoted service’ to ‘The Queen, to my family and to the country’, as well as the Commonwealth.

The Duke of Edinburgh was, he said, a ‘very special person’ who would have been ‘deeply touched’ by the sorrow felt by millions of people in Britain and across the world at news of his passing.

He said he would miss his father ‘enormously’ and added that his family were ‘deeply grateful’ for the condolences offered, which he said would ‘sustain us’ at this ‘particularly sad time’.

Prince Charles finished his message by simply saying: ‘Thank you’.

Yesterday, Harry and Meghan paid a short tribute to Prince Philip following news of the Duke of Edinburgh’s death.

In a post on their Archwell website, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex paid tribute to his grandfather with the two line message: ‘Thank you for your services… You will be greatly missed.’  

Harry is likely to make the journey to London by private jet from his home near Los Angeles and it is understood he may be permitted to use a diplomatic exemption to waive the normal Covid quarantine rules applying to flights from the USA. 

It has been reported that Harry was already largely self-isolating at the £11m mansion near Santa Barbara from when his grandfather entered hospital. 

It is thought he will be tested for Covid-19 before departure from the US and upon arrival in the UK, instead of being subject to the normal 10-day quarantine, though travellers are allowed to leave quarantine if they test negative after five days.

It is not known where he will stay during his stay in the UK, nor for how long he will remain after the funeral.

The reunion of the Duke of Sussex with his brother William and father Prince Charles will be awkward enough following his and Meghan’s shocking accusations of racism in the TV show aired only last month.

Despite the obvious rift, the Queen will expect her grandsons to put on a united front, along with the rest of the Royals as a mark of respect for the late Duke of Edinburgh.  

While Harry claimed in the interview to have always had a good relationship with the Queen, it’s unclear what kind of relationship, if any, he now has with Prince William and his father, Prince Charles.

According to CBS host Gayle King, a close friend of Oprah, Prince William, 38, reached out to Prince Harry after the explosive interview, but talks were ‘not productive’.

Harry’s claims that William was ‘trapped’ inside the monarchy are believed to have caused deep offence. Some royal experts believe that William is willing to give his brother a final chance.

The pair would almost certainly have met anyway on July 1 for the unveiling of a statue of Diana in London, but there was always a question mark over that reunion because of Meghan’s imminent due date, which has not been publically confirmed.

It is not clear if Harry had planned to return in June, when Prince Philip would have turned 100, and when a Trooping of the Colour was planned.

Now events have forced William and Harry to meet sooner than expected, and other members of the Royal Family will be hoping that a healing of the brothers’ rift will be a silver lining in the cloud of Prince Philip’s passing.

The Sussexes, who ignored calls to postpone the March 7 CBS interview because Philip was unwell, accused an unnamed royal, not the Queen nor the duke, of raising concerns about how dark their son Archie’s skin tone would be before he was born.

Ms King claimed afterwards that the pair had a contingency plan that if Prince Philip’s condition worsened, the interview would not have aired. That has not been confirmed by TV networks.

The interview was sold by CBS to dozens of countries around the world, and CBS paid a reported $8million for it.

Meghan also claimed that she’d been trapped by the ‘institution’ and was at one point suicidal, but that when she sought help, was told she could not have it.

Meghan is now pregnant with their second child and due to give birth sometime in the summer but she has not disclosed exactly when. The couple has not commented on any plan to return to the UK.

The Queen said after the interview that the allegations were ‘concerning’ but that ‘some recollections may vary’ and the matter was a family one that would be dealt with privately. 

The Sussexes, who faced calls to postpone the interview because Philip was unwell, accused an unnamed royal, not the Queen nor the duke, of raising concerns about how dark their son Archie’s skin tone would be before he was born. 

Since then, they have launched a charity, accepted lucrative business deals with Netflix and Spotify, given public talks, appeared on Zoom conferences, and on March 7, they criticised the Royal Family in a sit-down interview with Oprah that was viewed around the world. 

Meghan is now pregnant with their second child and due to give birth sometime in the summer but she has not disclosed exactly when. 

According to government guidelines, people travelling to England must self-isolate from arrival into the country for 10 full days.  

However, arriving travellers can take a test five days after arriving in the country and – if this is negative – may leave self-isolation. 

This is the most likely option for Prince Harry unless he claims special status accorded to diplomats.    

Harry was last pictured with Philip on May 8, 2019, when they were seen posing for a charming photograph with baby Archie at Buckingham Palace.  

Since then they kept up over Zoom, with Harry telling James Corden: ‘We’ve Zoomed them a few times, they’ve seen Archie running around. But my grandfather, instead of pressing ‘leave meeting’, he just goes ‘doof’ [mimics shutting the laptop]. I’m like, okay, bye…’ Harry explained, laughing.

Meanwhile, Meghan spoke about Philip’s illness on Oprah, saying: ‘This morning, I woke up earlier than H, and saw a note from someone on our team in the UK saying that the Duke of Edinburgh had gone to the hospital. 

‘But I just picked up the phone and I called the Queen just to check-in. That’s what we do, being able to default to not having to every moment go, ‘Is that appropriate?” 

What kind of reception the Sussexes will receive if they return to the UK after their extraordinary interview and behaviour over the last year is uncertain. 

CBS host Gayle King, who is a close friend of Oprah, claimed afterwards that the pair had a contingency plan that if Prince Philip’s condition worsened, the interview would not have aired. It has not been confirmed by TV networks that that is the case.

The interview was sold by CBS to dozens of countries around the world, and CBS paid a reported $8million(£5.8m) for it. 

The Queen said after the interview that the allegations were ‘concerning’ and that she would address them within Buckingham Palace.  

While Harry claimed in the interview to have always had a good relationship with the Queen, it’s unclear what kind of relationship, if any, he now has with Prince William and his father, Prince Charles. 

Meghan claimed during the interview that contrary to public reports based on palace sources, she did not make Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, cry during the run-up to her wedding and that it was Kate who made her cry instead. 

She also claimed that she’d been trapped by the ‘institution’ and was at one point suicidal but that when she sought mental health help, she was told she could not have it. 

The Royal Family has not commented on those claims. 

The Duke of Edinburgh spent his final days at Windsor Castle with his wife, who he lovingly called Lilibet throughout their long life together, after a 28-night stay in hospital having been admitted in mid-February for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition.

Her Majesty announced her husband’s death at midday as the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK and Commonwealth, while members of the public hugged and wiped away tears as they laid flowers in his memory – and messages of love and support for the Queen and her family.

The Royal Family said in a statement: ‘It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss’.

Her Majesty, who remains at Windsor Castle, is now expected to enter an eight-day period of mourning. She will not carry out any duties, even in private, while laws will not be given the Royal Assent and affairs of state will also be paused.

As with all royal births, marriages and deaths, a notice announcing Philip’s passing was displayed outside Buckingham Palace. Mourners are already laying flowers at the palace, Sandringham, Balmoral and Windsor Castle, where he is expected to be buried in Frogmore Gardens following a small family service at St George’s Chapel. 

A frail Philip was last seen leaving hospital on March 16 and his death plunges the nation and the Royal Family into mourning, and brings to an end Philip’s lifetime of service to Britain and to Elizabeth, the Queen who adored him since her teens. The couple shared their 73rd wedding anniversary last November and he was due to turn 100 on June 10 this year. 

Boris Johnson led the tributes and addressed the nation outside No 10 Downing Street shortly after the announcement. He said: ‘We give thanks, as a nation and a kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’.

He added: ‘Speaking on their golden wedding anniversary, Her Majesty said that our country owed her husband ‘a greater debt than he would ever claim or we shall ever know’ and I am sure that estimate is correct So we mourn today with Her Majesty The Queen.

‘We remember the duke for all of this and above all for his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen. Not just as her consort, by her side every day of her reign, but as her husband, her ‘strength and stay’, of more than 70 years.

‘And it is to Her Majesty, and her family, that our nation’s thoughts must turn today. Because they have lost not just a much-loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather and, in recent years, great-grandfather.’ 

Mr Johnson also praised his Duke of Edinburgh scheme, which has ‘shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people’. 

Your guide to Prince Philip’s funeral service that he tailor made for himself: Duke of Edinburgh’s body will be borne by a Land Rover and taken to the steps of St George’s Chapel

Borne by a Land Rover and in the presence of his family and representatives of the military establishment that was so close to his heart, Philip’s body will be taken to the steps of St George’s Chapel, Windsor. 

Based on details released by Buckingham Palace yesterday, this is how his funeral service will then take place next Saturday afternoon.

1 The coffin, covered with Philip’s personal standard and a wreath of flowers, is borne by 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards from Windsor Castle’s private chapel.

2 2.40pm. It reaches the castle state entrance. Accompanying the coffin will be the Dean of Windsor and the Lord Chamberlain. Those gathered in the quadrangle ‘pay compliments’.

Royal Marines place the coffin on a Land Rover.

The procession sets off, led by Band of the Grenadier Guards, followed by the Major General’s Party and the Service Chiefs.

3 The route is lined by representatives of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Highlanders, 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland and the RAF. Minute guns are fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn. The Curfew Tower bell tolls.

4 2.53pm. The procession reaches St George’s Chapel West Steps. A Guard of Honour and Band from The Rifles receives the coffin at the foot of the steps. The National Anthem is played as the coffin enters Horseshoe Cloister. A bearing party of Royal Marines carries the coffin up the steps.

3pm. Pause for a minute’s silence. The Archbishop of Canterbury and Dean of Windsor receive the coffin. Only members of the Royal Family and Philip’s private secretary, Archie Miller-Bakewell, enter the chapel. 

The Service begins with the coffin carried to the catafalque in the Quire.

Albert Memorial Chapel 

Philip’s body is believed to have been moved here. The chapel was created by Queen Victoria in honour of her husband, Albert, in 1875.

Portraits of the couple’s nine children were included among decorations of gilding, marble, mosaics, precious stones and coloured glass.

King George VI Memorial Chapel 

It is widely believed the Queen wishes to be buried alongside Philip here. The bodies of her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother, as well as the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret, are interred here.

His personal standard

Prince Philip’s Standard knits together his rich lineage and personal history. The flag is quartered into Denmark, Greece, Mountbatten and Edinburgh – representing the two royal families he descends from, as well as his surname and title.

Born into the Greek and Danish royal families, he renounced his right to either throne when he became a British subject before his marriage to Princess Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey in 1947. 

Denmark is represented on the standard by three blue lions passant and nine red hearts on a yellow field, while Greece consists of a white cross on a blue field. 

Before his wedding, he adopted his mother’s surname of Mountbatten, represented by five vertical stripes. After his marriage, he was designated a Royal highness and became the Duke of Edinburgh. The city is represented by a three-towered castle.

Buried in his Naval finery 

Philip is expected to be buried in his ceremonial naval uniform. 

Traditionally, this includes a ceremonial day coat with aiguillettes – long strands of weaved gilt thread – worn on the right shoulder, the Royal Cypher and Sleeve Lace Distinction Marks of Rank consisting of rows of gold lace with a circle (or ‘curl’); gold-laced trousers; white, long-sleeved shirt; black socks; black shoes; white gloves.

His coffin will be draped with his personal standard, and decorated with a wreath of flowers and his naval cap and sword.