Final Farewell He Wanted...Low Key And Very Little Fuss

Just 30 family mourners as Queen sticks to Covid rules

- Richard Palmer

Prince Philip’s final wish for a low-key funeral will be honoured with a family affair as the Queen seeks to follow the same Covid rules as everybody else.

The Duke hated fuss and always wanted a small send-off – although his idea of small scale was relative and still a huge event.

He wanted it to be about his military associations and charity patronages rather than a big state occasion.

Now it means just 30 mourners, far removed from the 1,000 expected to attend under plans devised in accordance with his wishes and codenamed Operation Forth Bridge.

The Queen is today expected to approve final plans for the funeral to be held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Sources close to the family have confirmed that she will try to adhere to Covid guidelines.

It will be in marked contrast to that of Philip’s mother-in-law the Queen Mother, who was laid to rest exactly 19 years ago yesterday.

Hundreds of thousands lined the streets of central London to pay their respects to the long-serving matriarch, who died aged 101.

Sword

The funeral at Westminster Abbey was seen by more than 10 million viewers.