London: Queen Elizabeth II bids a final farewell to her late husband, Prince Philip, on Saturday, at a funeral restricted by coronavirus rules but reflecting his long life of military and public service. Here’s the live updates.
10:30am: The ceremony from behind the stately walls of Windsor Castle, west of London, will be watched by an expected television audience of millions, with the public urged to stay away because of the global pandemic.
10:35am: The Duke of Edinburgh -- described by royals as "the grandfather of the nation" -- died on April 9, aged 99, just weeks after spending more than a month in hospital for treatment of a heart condition and an infection.
1:30 pm : Beginning around 9:45 a.m (UK time), Philip’s coffin will be transported the short drive from Windsor Castle to St. George’s Chapel in a Land Rover he helped design.
Family members will follow on foot, with the queen in the State Bentley at the rear. Princes Harry and William will walk with their cousin Peter Phillips between them, feeding speculation of continuing tensions.
All aspects of the funeral plan — code named “Operation Forth Bridge” — have been modified to comply with coronavirus restrictions.
2:45 pm: Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy in 1939 at age 18 after attending cadet school.
3: 20 PM: He served with distinction during World War II and saw action in the Pacific and Mediterranean theaters.
4:00 PM: Atop his coffin will be placed the Duke of Edinburgh’s naval cap and sword.
4:30 PM: Buckingham Palace informs that when the prince’s coffin reaches the second landing of the chapel, the piping party will pipe the “Side.”
5:00 PM: The route from the state entrance of Windsor Castle to St George's Chapel is being lined with personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, The Highlanders, 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Royal Air Force. Guns will be fired by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn throughout the procession.
5:15 PM: The duke's favourite driving carriage, along with two of his grooms, has arrived ahead of the funeral ceremony. The carriage is pulled by his two black Fell ponies - Balmoral Nevis and Notlaw Storm. They will stand in the Quadrangle when the funeral procession passes, a personal wish of the duke's. His cap and whip were placed on the seat of the carriage.
5:30 PM: A specially-modified Land Rover hearse, designed by Prince Philip over 16 years, has arrived at Windsor Castle.
5:40 PM: Members of the Royal Family who are not taking part in the procession have arrived at St George's Chapel by car.
5:44 PM: Military bands play music selected by the duke.
5:48 PM: The duke's coffin begins its journey to St George's Chapel.
5:49 PM: Members of the royal family are walking in the funeral procession behind the coffin.
6:06 PM: The coffin is removed from the Land Rover and carried to the West Steps. A minute's silence is observed here at the steps of the chapel.
6:08 PM: As the choir sings, the coffin is placed on the catafalque, a raised platform where it will rest during the rest of the service.
6:10 PM: The Right Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor, bids an invitation to prayer.
6:13 PM: The choir sings the best-known hymn associated with seafaring, "Eternal Father, strong to save".
6:15 PM: The first lesson, read by the Dean of Windsor, is from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, chapter 43, verses 11 to 26.
6:17 PM: The choir sings the Jubilate.
6:18 PM: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, reads the second lesson from the Gospel of John, chapter 11, verses 21 to 27.
6:20 PM: Psalm 104, previously sung at Prince Philip's 75th birthday, is set to music by William Lovelady.
6:35 PM: The choir sings the funeral anthem, the Russian Kontakion of the Departed.
6:43 PM: The Garter Principal King of Arms reads out the Duke of Edinburgh's titles.
6:45 PM: A series of military bands play tribute to Duke of Edinburgh.
6:53 PM: The Royal Family leave the chapel by the Galilee Porch, escorted by the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
