Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not be attending the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh following his death yesterday (Friday).
The decision has been taken amid continuing coronavirus restrictions to allow for the attendance of as many family members as possible during coronavirus restrictions, No 10 has said.
A No 10 spokesperson told PA: “As a result of the coronavirus regulations, only 30 people can attend the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“The Prime Minister has throughout wanted to act in accordance with what is best for the Royal household, and so to allow for as many family members as possible will not be attending the funeral on Saturday.”
Buckingham Palace today (Saturday) announced that Philip’s ceremonial royal funeral will take place on April 17 in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and a national minute’s silence will be observed as it begins at 3pm.
It is certain to be a royal funeral like no other, with the Queen and her family following guidelines and wearing face masks and socially distancing as they gather to say their final farewell.
The duke’s coffin will be transported from the castle to the chapel in a specially modified Land Rover he helped to design, and followed by the Prince of Wales and senior royals on foot, a Palace official said.
