Prince Philip funeral: Nation falls silent with Queen in honour of Duke of Edinburgh

The minute’s silence was a time to reflect on both the extraordinary life of Prince Philip and those who lost their lives to the Covid-19 pandemic

Britons joined the Queen in falling silent on Saturday to mark the start of the funeral for the Duke of Edinburgh.

The ceremony began at 3pm with a procession in he grounds of Windsor Castle with only a handful of royal guests. 

With crowds prohibited by coronavirus rules, the public was asked instead to observing a minute’s silence.

As members of the royal family fell silent at 3pm at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, members of the public across the country - and Prime Minister Boris Johnson - did the same.

Members of the public observe a minute's silence at The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in central England (AFP via Getty Images)

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a gunshot to signal the start of the silence at Windsor, with the pallbearers carrying Philip’s coffin and members of the royal family following it pausing in their positions, while those already inside the chapel also fell silent.

Gun salutes took place at the same time performed by royal regiments at sites including Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland, Cardiff Castle and Edinburgh Castle, as well as on Royal Navy warships deployed in Portsmouth, Devonport and overseas.

Outside Windsor Castle and the nearby Long Walk, hundreds of mourners who had lined the streets clutching Union flags and flowers fell quiet.

Mr Johnson was pictured with his head bowed and wearing a black suit and tie as he fell silent outside his country residence of Chequers, where he watched the funeral as it was broadcast live.

Read More:

• How to watch Prince Philip’s funeral on TV: What time does it start?
• Who is going to Prince Philip’s funeral?
• Queen shares favourite photo of Prince Philip on eve of funeral
• Prince Andrew ‘requests to wear admiral’s uniform’ for Prince Philip’s funeral
• Where will Prince Philip be buried?

Mourners who gathered at Buckingham Palace to pay their respects fell silent.

People observe a minute's silence outside Buckingham Palace, London (PA)

Life was paused for people around the country whether in supermarkets or swimming pools. 

Cold water swimmers observe a minute’s silence at the Brockwell Lido in London (REUTERS)

Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster took part in the silence from Enniskillen Castle in County Fermanagh, while her Scottish counterpart Nicola Sturgeon paused on the steps of Bute House in Edinburgh.

A man wipes his tears during a minute's silence for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip (REUTERS)

At Philip’s former school - Gordonstoun in Moray, northern Scotland - pupils fell silent outside the main building, after laying a wreath off nearby Hopeman Harbour, where the duke learned to sail.

Newcastle United and West Ham players observe the silence for Prince Philip (EPA)

Meanwhile, staff and punters at pubs and social clubs named after the nation’s longest serving consort also fell silent, including at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Hull and the Prince Philip Community Centre in Leeds.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Twitter that she observed the minute’s silence “to remember the lifetime service of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh”.

Drinkers at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Hull (PA)

At sports grounds, players observed a silence before the Sky Bet Championship match at City Ground, Nottingham, between Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest.

A huge graphic of the duke was shown ahead of the Sky Bet League One match between Charlton and Ipswich at The Valley in London.

Pupils at the Duke of Edinburgh’s former school, Gordonstoun in Moray (PA)

Snooker players and spectators at the World Championships at the Crucible in Sheffield also paused at 3pm.