Prince Philip Death: Royal protocols to be followed ahead of Duke Of Edinburgh's funeral

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh passed away aged 99 on Friday, April 9. As the longest-serving Royal consort, the Duke of Edinburgh is entitled to a state funeral at Westminster Abbey although keeping in mind the COVID-19 concerns, there may be certain changes in how further events will be addressed.  According to Wales Online, Prince Philip's body is expected to lie at St James's Palace. It is also the same Palace where Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid for several days after her death in 1997.  Queen Elizabeth II also enters an eight-day mourning period now, during which all her public appearances are to be cancelled.  Members of the family will also be seen wearing dark colours and mourning bands. 

For every royal family member, a code name has been mentioned that states the details of the events to follow after their demise. As for the Duke of Edinburgh, Operation Forth Bridge has been the name assigned to him. As per the protocol mentioned in The Sun, before Prince Philip's funeral, all flags will be lowered to half-mast, except the Royal Standard flag above Buckingham Palace which represents the monarchy. While the details of the Duke's funeral are yet to be confirmed, reportedly it is believed that Prince Philip wished to have an intimate service, hence only members of the family, friends, and heads of state from the Commonwealth countries are expected to attend the funeral.  The funeral will reportedly take place at  St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth and a leading figure in the British royal family for almost seven decades, has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace said on Friday. The Duke of Edinburgh, as he was officially known, had been by his wife's side throughout her 69-year reign, the longest in British history, during which time he earned a reputation for a tough, no-nonsense attitude and a propensity for occasional gaffes. “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the palace said in a statement. A Greek prince, he married Elizabeth in 1947 playing a key role in modernising the monarchy in the post-World War Two period, and behind the walls of Buckingham Palace being the one key figure the Queen could turn to and trust.