Home   News   National   Article

What are the key timings for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral?

PA News

The ceremonial arrangements for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral are set to reflect military affiliations and personal elements of his life.

The congregation will wear masks for the service and members of the royal family will be wearing morning coat with medals or day dress.

Philip has been lying at rest in the private chapel in Windsor Castle.

Here is a timeline of events for the funeral:

– 1100am. The coffin, which will be covered with Philip’s personal standard along with his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers, will be moved from the private chapel to the Inner Hall of Windsor Castle by members of The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

David Conner, Dean of Windsor (Steve Parsons/PA)
David Conner, Dean of Windsor (Steve Parsons/PA)

– 2pm. The Lord Chamberlain, the Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle and the Dean of Windsor will be present in the Inner Hall.

– 2.10pm. The Dean will say prayers before leaving by car to St George’s Chapel.

– By 2.15pm. Representatives from the services are in place in the Quadrangle to show Philip’s special military relationships. The Quadrangle will also be lined by the Household Cavalry and The Foot Guards.

– 2.17pm. The band of the Grenadier Guards will be in Engine Court.

– Between 2.20pm and 2.27pm. Members of the royal family and Philip’s relatives who are not taking part in the procession will leave Windsor Castle by car to make the journey to the chapel.

– 2.27pm. The Land Rover, upon which the coffin will be placed, enters the Quadrangle via George IV Gate where bands at the site begin to play music.

The service chiefs, the Major General commanding the Household Division and his staff leave from the Equerries Entrance and take their position by the State Entrance. They will face the Land Rover. The pall bearers take up position either side of the Land Rover and together they move towards the State Entrance.

The Jaguar Land Rover that will be used to transport the coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh at his funeral on Saturday (Steve Parsons/PA)
The Jaguar Land Rover that will be used to transport the coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh at his funeral on Saturday (Steve Parsons/PA)

– 2.38pm. The coffin is lifted in the Inner Hall.

– 2.40pm. Members of Philip’s household take up their positions in the procession and the bands stop playing music.

– 2.41pm The coffin emerges from the State Entrance and is met by members of the royal family who are walking in the procession. They will not be wearing uniforms. A royal salute is given by the service detachments, the service chiefs, the pall bearers, the Major General commanding the Household Division and his staff give a royal salute. The coffin is placed on to the Land Rover.

– 2.44pm. The Queen, accompanied by a lady-in-waiting, leaves from the Sovereign’s Entrance in the State Bentley as the national anthem is played. The Bentley will pause as it reaches the rear of the procession so the front section of the procession can turn to face the direction of travel.

– 2.45pm. The procession, which is planned to take eight minutes, sets off.

The firing of minute guns by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn and the sound of the Curfew Tower Bell will form the backdrop as members of the royal family who are already at St George’s Chapel stand to view the procession.

The Queen will be received by the Dean of Windsor who will show the mourners at the service, including those who have been watching the procession, to their seats.

A royal salute is given by the Windsor Castle Guard as the coffin passes the Parade Ground.

The Band of the Grenadier Guards will stop playing and march through into Denton’s Commons as the procession approaches. The Rifles Guard of Honour, positioned in Horseshoe Cloister, will give a royal salute and the national anthem will be played. The service chiefs, the Major General commanding the Household Division and his staff will halt on the north side of the West Steps and turn to face the coffin.

– 2.53pm. The Land Rover arrives at the foot of the West Steps of the chapel.

A Royal Navy piping party will sound once the Land Rover stops and the pall bearers take their positions.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (PA)
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (PA)

The coffin will be carried up the steps and halt on the second landing as members of the royal family take their positions on the steps.

– 3pm. The National Minute’s Silence, signalled by a gun fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, takes place.

After the minute’s silence, the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury receive the coffin which has been followed by the members of the royal family who have walked in the procession.

As the doors to St George’s Chapel close to the sound of Carry On being played, the Land Rover, service chiefs, realm defence advisers, bodyguards, military knights of Windsor, along with representatives of services, will leave in silence during the funeral service.

After the National Minute’s Silence, the coffin is placed on the Catafalque in the Quire and members of the royal family who have walked in the procession will take their places for the service which is set to last 50 minutes and will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor.

The Dean will give the commendation as the coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault.

A lament will then be played by a Pipe Major of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The piper will walk from the North Quire Aisle to The Dean’s Cloister.

The Last Post will be sounded by buglers of the Royal Marines from the west end of the Nave.

After a period of silence, the Reveille will be sounded by the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry from the west end of the Nave. The buglers of the Royal Marines will sound Action Stations and this is at the specific request of The Duke of Edinburgh. The Archbishop of Canterbury will pronounce the Blessing, after which the national anthem will be sung by the four singers present.

– After the service, the Queen and members of the royal family and Philip’s relatives will leave the chapel via the Galilee Porch.


Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More