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How to watch Prince Philip’s funeral, timings of the service and when does it start?

<p>Prince Philip </p> (Getty Images)

Prince Philip

(Getty Images)

Preparations are under way for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral following his death last week at the age of 99.

The service will take place Saturday at St George's Chapel in Windsor, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

In line with government restrictions, only 30 family members are expected to attend the service and some will follow the procession on foot.

On the day of the funeral, which starts at 3pm, a minute of silence will also be held across the country to mourn Prince Philip.

His death came less than a month after he was discharged from hospital on March 16 and returned to Windsor Castle to stay with the Queen.

Here we explain how exactly you will be able to watch his funeral service.

Where can you watch Prince Philip’s service?

The Duke of Edinburgh, wearing the green robes of a bard.PA Archive
The Duke of Edinburgh, wearing the green robes of a bard.PA Archive

Huw Edwards will lead nearly six hours of coverage broadcast from Windsor across three programmes on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, Mr Edwards will present HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Remembered live from Windsor Castle at 7pm on BBC One, where he will interview people set to play a key role in the funeral service and ceremonial procession.

On Saturday, Mr Edwards, joined by broadcaster Sophie Raworth and TV presenter and former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers, will present live coverage of the events at Windsor from 12.30pm.

BBC One will be broadcasting the service live on April 17 from 3pm, and it can also be watched on iPlayer.

There will also be coverage of the funeral on Saturday from 2pm to 4.10pm on Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live, as well as on the broadcaster’s local stations.

On Saturday evening from 8.10pm, Mr Edwards will then reflect on the day’s events at Windsor Castle.

ITV News previously announced it will cover the funeral on Saturday with Prince Philip – A Royal Funeral, which will be presented by Tom Bradby and Julie Etchingham from Windsor.

What are the timings for Prince Philip’s service?

At 2.15pm, the Quadrangle in Windsor Castle will be lined by the Household Cavalry and The Foot Guards.

From 2.20pm, members of the Royal Family and The Duke of Edinburgh's family not taking part in the procession will leave Windsor Castle for St. George's Chapel.

At 2:40pm, the bands in the Quadrangle will stop playing and the coffin will be carried out and set onto the Land Rover.

Members of the Royal Family walking in the procession will leave the State Entrance after the coffin and take their positions.

At 2.45pm, the procession will start, moving from the Quadrangle to Horseshoe Cloister.

The Land Rover will be flanked by pallbearers from the Royal Marines and other regiments and corps affiliated with the duke.

Members of the Royal Family will walk behind the coffin. The Queen will travel at the back of the procession in the State Bentley and will enter St George's Chapel through the Galilee porch.

At 2:53pm, the Land Rover will arrive at West Steps of St George's Chapel, and be met by a guard of honour and band from the Rifles Regiment, who will play the national anthem.

Members of the Household Cavalry will line the West Steps and a Royal Navy "piping party" will pipe a nautical call known as "the Still" as the coffin is carried up the steps to the chapel.

The coffin will be draped with a wreath, the duke's naval cap and sword on top. It will be met by the dean of Windsor, along with the Archbishop of Canterbury, for the service.

Only the members of the Royal Family will enter the chapel and the rest of the procession will remain outside.

At 3:00pm, a minute's silence will be observed nationwide, in memory of the duke.

The start and end of the silence will be signalled by a gun discharged by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Inside the chapel, the funeral service will commence as the coffin is carried to the Quire, and set on a platform called a catafalque.

Why is Prince Philip not having a state funeral?

When he was alive, Prince Philip reportedly requested a funeral of minimum fuss and not to lie in state.

Under the original plan, thousands would have been expected to flock to London and Windsor for a military procession of Philip’s coffin on the day of his funeral.

But at his personal insistence, there will not be a state funeral or a public lying in state but instead a far lower-key event known officially as a royal ceremonial funeral.

The Queen and Philip tour the grounds of Stormont in Belfast, during a Diamond Jubilee tour of Northern Ireland.PA Archive
The Queen and Philip tour the grounds of Stormont in Belfast, during a Diamond Jubilee tour of Northern Ireland.PA Archive

What have the Palace told the public?

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said the funeral will be much reduced in scale with no public access.

“In line with Government guidelines and public health measures, there will be no public processions and the Duke’s funeral will take place entirely within the grounds of Windsor Castle.

“The plans have been given final approval by the Queen and reflect appropriately government advice,” it said.

The statement, added: “Despite these necessary changes, they still very much reflect the personal wishes of the Duke.

“Although the ceremonial arrangements are reduced, the occasion will still celebrate and recognise the Duke’s life and his more than 70 years of service to the Queen, the UK and the Commonwealth.”

Instead, the Royal Family website has asked people to consider donating money to charity in the Duke’s honour and an online book of condolences has been set up where the general public can leave tributes.

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