Prince William and Prince Harry will not walk together at Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday (17.04.21).
The Duke of Edinburgh – who passed away last week at the age of 99 – is set to be laid to rest this weekend in a scaled down ceremony of just 30 guests, and it has now been confirmed that brothers William and Harry will not be stood next to each other when they walk behind their grandfather’s coffin.
Instead, the siblings – who are the sons of Prince Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip – will be separated by their cousin, Peter Phillips.
Buckingham Palace said they would not be drawn on any “perceptions of drama” which may be taken from the order of procession, as senior royals walk first behind the coffin.
Since Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, chose to step down as senior royals last year, he will not walk at the front of the procession with his older brother, who is second in line to the throne behind his father, Prince Charles.
A spokesperson said: “The arrangements have been agreed, and they represent Her Majesty’s wishes.”
The news comes as it was also confirmed by the Palace that no military uniforms will be worn by royals, as is usually traditional at a ceremonial royal funeral such as the duke’s, with royals entitled to wear the ceremonial uniforms of the honorary military ranks bestowed on them.
A palace spokesperson said: “Members of the royal family will be wearing morning coat with medals or day dress. That’s to say members of the royal family will not be in military uniform.”
Prince Charles and Princess Anne will lead family members walking behind the coffin as it travels from the castle to the chapel within the grounds in an eight-minute long procession.
They will be followed by their siblings, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, before the Queen and Philip’s grandchildren.
Inside the chapel, as a bearer party of Royal Marines carry the coffin to the catafalque, William will walk next to Peter Phillips and ahead of his brother Harry.
The 30-strong congregation will all wear masks inside St George’s chapel, and sit two metres apart from those outside their household or support bubble.
It’s also thought that the Queen, 94, will sit by herself in line with the government guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.