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Britain's Prince Philip Laid to Rest at Windsor Castle

Associated Press

   WINDSOR, ENGLAND - As military bands played and a procession of royals
   escorted his coffin to the church, Prince Philip was laid to rest
   Saturday in a funeral ceremony that honored his lifetime of service to
   the U.K., the crown and his wife of 73 years, Queen Elizabeth II.

   The widowed British monarch, setting an example amid the coronavirus
   pandemic, sat alone at the ceremony, dressed in black and with her head
   bowed in prayer.

   Philip, who died April 9, two months shy of his 100th birthday, was
   honored at Windsor Castle in a service that was steeped in military and
   royal tradition but also pared down and infused with his own
   personality. The entire royal procession and funeral took place out of
   public view within the grounds of the castle, a 950-year-old royal
   residence 20 miles (30 kilometers) west of London, but was shown live
   on television.

   Coronavirus restrictions meant that instead of the 800 mourners
   expected in the longstanding plans for Philip's funeral, only 30 people
   were allowed inside the castle's St. George's Chapel, including the
   queen, her four children and her eight grandchildren.

   Following strict social distancing rules during the pandemic, the queen
   set an example even in grief, sitting apart from family members who
   were arrayed around the church.

   Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, sat opposite the monarch
   alongside his wife, Camilla. Prince Andrew was two seats to the queen's
   left. Prince William and his wife, Kate, sat directly opposite from his
   brother, Prince Harry, who had traveled back from California without
   his pregnant wife, Meghan.

   People across Britain observed one minute of silence in honor of Philip
   just before the funeral got underway. Under soft spring sunshine, some
   locals earlier stopped outside the castle to leave flowers, but people
   largely heeded requests by police and the palace not to gather because
   of the pandemic.
   Britain's Queen Elizabeth II takes her seat for the funeral of
   Britain's Prince Philip, at St. George's Chapel, in Windsor, Britain,
   April 17, 2021.

   Philip's coffin traveled to the chapel on a specially adapted Land
   Rover designed by the prince himself. The coffin was draped in his
   personal standard and topped with his Royal Navy cap, sword and a
   wreath of flowers.

   For the procession, senior military commanders lined up in front of the
   vehicle. The children of Philip and the queen -- Charles, Princess
   Anne, Andrew and Prince Edward -- walked behind the hearse, while the
   94-year-old queen traveled to the chapel in a Bentley car.

   Grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry also walked behind the
   coffin, although not side by side. The brothers, whose relationship has
   been strained amid Harry's decision to quit royal duties and move to
   California, flanked their cousin Peter Phillips, the son of Anne.

   For many viewers, the moment stirred memories of William and Harry at
   15 and 12, walking behind the coffin of their mother, Princess Diana,
   in 1997, accompanied by their grandfather Philip, in a London ceremony
   televised around the world.

   Later Saturday, the two brothers were seen walking together and
   chatting as the mourners left the chapel after the service.

   The funeral reflected Philip's military ties, both as a ceremonial
   commander of many units and as a veteran of war. More than 700 military
   personnel took part, including army bands, Royal Marine buglers and an
   honor guard drawn from across the armed forces.
   A hearse, a specially modified Land Rover, carrying the coffin of
   Britain's Prince Philip, is seen on the grounds of Windsor Castle, in
   Windsor, Britain, April 17, 2021.

   Inside the Gothic chapel, the setting for centuries of royal weddings
   and funerals, the service was simple and somber.
   The ceremony began with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby entering
   the chapel ahead of the coffin, followed by Philip's children and three
   of his eight grandchildren, as a four-member, socially distanced choir
   sang "I am the resurrection and the life."

   There was no sermon, at Philip's request, and no family eulogies or
   readings, in keeping with royal tradition. But Dean of Windsor David
   Conner said the country had been enriched by Philip's "unwavering
   loyalty to our queen, by his service to the nation and the
   Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith."

   Philip spent almost 14 years in the Royal Navy and saw action in the
   Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific during World War
   II. Several elements of his funeral had a maritime theme, including the
   hymn "Eternal Father, Strong to Save," which is associated with
   seafarers and asks God: "O hear us when we cry to thee/For those in
   peril on the sea."

   Leading a prayer, Conner said: "Grant unto him the assurance of thine
   ancient promise that thou wilt ever be with those who go down to the
   sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters."
   Queen Elizabeth II watches as pallbearers carry the coffin of Britain's
   Prince Philip during his funeral at St. George's Chapel, at Windsor
   Castle, in Windsor, Britain, April 17, 2021.

   As Philip's coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, Royal Marine
   buglers sounded "Action Stations," an alarm that alerts sailors to
   prepare for battle. Its inclusion, after the traditional bugle call of
   "The Last Post," was a personal request from Philip.

   Philip was placed in the vault alongside the remains of 24 other
   royals, including three kings of England. But it will likely not be his
   permanent resting place. After the queen's death, she and Philip are
   expected to be buried in the Royal Burial Ground on the Frogmore Estate
   close to Windsor Castle.

   Along with Philip's children and grandchildren, the 30 funeral guests
   included other senior royals and several of his German relatives.
   Philip was born a prince of Greece and Denmark and, like the queen, is
   related to a thicket of European royal families.

   Ahead of the funeral, Buckingham Palace released a photo of the queen
   and Philip, smiling and relaxing on blankets in the grass in the
   Scottish Highlands in 2003. The palace said the casual photo was a
   favorite of the queen.
   Handout image released by Buckingham Palace of a personal photograph of
   the Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, at the top of the
   Coyles of Muick, taken by the Countess of Wessex in 2003 and obtained
   by Reuters April 16, 2021.

   For decades, Philip was a fixture of British life, renowned for his
   founding of the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards program that encouraged
   youths to challenge themselves and for a blunt-spoken manner that at
   times included downright offensive remarks. He lived in his wife's
   shadow, but his death has sparked a reflection about his role, and new
   appreciation from many in Britain.

   "He was a character, an absolute character," said Jenny Jeeves as she
   looked at the floral tributes in Windsor. "He was fun, he was funny.
   Yes, he made quite a few gaffes, but it depends which way you took it,
   really. Just a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and a good
   example to all of us."