IT IS being put about that Prince Philip asked for minimum fuss regarding his funeral. They would say that, wouldn’t they? How very convenient for the government’s restriction-enforced times.
In fact when you read beyond the headlines you find that the Duke of Edinburgh was very clear as to his wishes: he had planned for himself a ‘royal ceremonial funeral’ rather than a ‘state funeral’, which would have given him the same status as Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. His request looks to be very similar to that of Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert, who died on September 14, 1861. Then, ‘in accordance with the custom usually followed of late years, the funeral would not be a state one, nor would the remains lie in state. The Prince of Wales was to act as chief mourner, supported by the Duke of Cambridge and by the Crown Prince of Prussia. The remains were to be laid in the royal vault at Windsor’.
Despite these precedents, we are told that the April 17 ceremony for Prince Philip at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, will be significantly pared down. Members of the public have been asked not to try to watch.
Is it not appalling that the government’s indefensible coronavirus restrictions will not allow more than 30 mourners to attend the service? What a further blow to the grieving Queen.
Even more shocking is that the man responsible for this corrupt and destructive policy could be one of those 30. This is an insult. Should Boris Johnson be allowed anywhere near the funeral of a man to whom he has denied the ceremonial dignity and respect he deserves and that we, the British people, need?
Please feel free to discuss this or anything else on your mind.
