WINDSOR, England—Queen Elizabeth and her family paid their last respects to Prince Philip at a funeral on Saturday that celebrated his naval past, his international heritage, and seven decades of service.
Elizabeth, dressed in black and in a white trimmed black mask, stood alone as her husband of 73 years was lowered into the Royal Vault in a service attended by senior royals including heir Prince Charles and his sons Princes William and Harry.
The queen was placed alone in the ceremony at St. George’s Chapel with her children, grandchildren, and a select group of royal mourners, separated due to COVID-19 rules.
“We remember before thee this day Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, rendering thanks unto thee—for his resolute faith and loyalty, for his high sense of duty and integrity,” Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said in a prayer.
Philip, who married Elizabeth in 1947, died aged 99 on April 9. The queen in 1997 described Philip as her “strength and stay” over their decades of marriage.
Philip’s naval cap and sword lay on top of the coffin, which was covered with the Duke of Edinburgh’s personal standard featuring the Danish coat of arms, the Greek cross, Edinburgh Castle, and the stripes of the Mountbatten family.
A wreath of white roses, lilies, and jasmine from the 94-year-old queen also adorned the coffin.
Philip’s coffin was borne to the chapel on a bespoke Land Rover Defender TD 130 in military green as a minute gun fired eight times.
There were just 30 mourners inside the chapel for the service because of continuing coronavirus restrictions in Britain.
Philip was a decorated Royal Navy veteran of World War Two and his funeral, much of which was planned in meticulous detail by the prince himself, had a strong military feel, with personnel from across the armed forces playing prominent roles.
By Andrew MacAskill and Guy Faulconbridge
