Tearful Prince Edward and Sophie thank public and say Queen 'has been amazing'

Prince Edward and Sophie the Countess of Wessex have left Windsor Castle where they thanked members of the public and said the Queen 'has been amazing'.

Sophie spoke to reporters from a Land Rover driven by her husband, the Earl of Wessex after spending around an hour at the castle this morning.

The Queen remains at Windsor Castle where she had been isolating with Philip for 12 months.

Their visit to the Queen came as the 41 gun salutes were fired across the country, one each day starting from midday.

Salutes will also be fired in Gibraltar and from Royal Navy warships, the Ministry of Defence said.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex arriving at Windsor Castle (PA)

Gun salutes mark significant national events, including the Queen ’s Coronation, the death of Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill, since as early as at least the 18th century.

The Scottish Parliament is to be recalled for only the sixth time in its history to show respect to the Duke of Edinburgh.

It is understood plans for the Duke's funeral will be officially signed off by the Queen today.

A tearful Sophie, Countess of Wessex, leaves Windsor Castle with Prince Edward (PA)

The Earl and Countess of Wessex leave Windsor Castle (PA)

The Duke's coffin will be placed in the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel until the Queen passes.

It is understood he will then be buried with the Queen in the memorial chapel, their coffins interred together.

The date of the funeral, which will be a slimmed down affair as per Philip's wishes, is to be announced in the coming days.

Before the Duke of Edinburgh is laid to rest he will be examined by a member of the Medical Household, who will determine the cause of his death.

Prince Charles is expected to take on more responsibility within the royal family (Getty Images)

It is likely this will take place in their medical wing of Windsor Castle.

Then the Duke will be placed in a coffin which will be taken to the St George's Chapel within the Windsor Castle grounds, The Sun reports.

There he will lie at rest so that family members and invited guests have the opportunity to pay their respects to him, before he is taken to the Royal burial grounds at Frogmore Gardens.

Because Philip requested not to have a state funeral he will not lie in state - when a royal is placed inside a coffin so that members of the public can pay their respects.

Over the past century this has taken place in Westminster Hall, with King Edward VII the first British monarch to do so in 1910.