The funeral procession for Prince Philip has begun.
The Duke of Edinburgh's coffin was lifted onto a personally modified Land Rover hearse just before 2.45pm on Saturday afternoon.
It was adorned with white flowers. It was followed by a minute's silence as members of the royal family stood behind the car.
The most senior member of the royal family, Her Majesty the Queen was then led out in a private car. The car was due to follow the funeral procession towards St George's Chapel.
The Land Rover carrying Prince Philip's coffin was designed in part by the Duke over an 18 year period. The purpose-built vehicle was specially modified to carry a coffin – in a project that the Duke helped with many years ago. He first began the long-lasting venture to create his own bespoke hearse in collaboration with Land Rover in 2003, the year he turned 82.
The polished, sturdy, utilitarian vehicle, with its heavy duty wheels and angular structure, stands as a showcase for the Duke’s practical nature, and his passion for functional design and engineering.
The Defender was made at Land Rover’s factory in Solihull in 2003 and Philip oversaw the modifications throughout the intervening years. The Duke, who served with distinction in the Second World War and held special associations with all the Armed Forces, requested that the original Belize Green bodywork be switched to Dark Bronze Green, a colour used for many military Land Rovers.
He also designed the open top rear section where his coffin will rest, made to his exact specifications, including the rubber grips on silver metal pins known as the “stops” or “stoppers” which perform the crucial task of preventing the coffin from moving.
Details on the vehicle include matching green hubs, a black front grille, a single cab and no registration plates.
