Prince Philip funeral : Union flags raised over royal palaces as Queen continues to grieve for husband

Follow all the latest updates

Prince Philip's coffin lowered into Royal Vault during final blessing

Union flags flying over the royal palaces and Number 10 have been raised from half mast to mark the end of the period of national mourning for Prince Philip.

Video footage showed the flags outside Buckingham Palace and the prime minister’s official residence being raised on Sunday morning, while other official buildings across the country followed suit.

While the period of national mourning has ended, the Queen will continue to grieve her husband and the royal family will mark a further week of official mourning.

The nation fell silent in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon, as the funeral ceremony marking his life of duty took place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

The duke’s “unwavering loyalty” to the monarch was highlighted at the service, as the Queen bid a final farewell to her beloved husband – her “strength and stay” through 73 years of marriage.

The funeral reunited Prince William and Prince Harry after their much-publicised fall-out. Although they sat opposite each other inside the chapel, the brothers were seen talking together as they left the ceremony.

• Prince Philip’s secret return visit to the island of his birth
• The meaning behind the music performed at the service
• Meghan Markle handwrote a message to Prince Philip ahead of funeral
• Kate Middleton’s pearl necklace is a touching tribute to Prince Philip
• Duke’s coffin filmed being lowered into royal vault by electric motor

Key Points

• Union flags raised over royal palaces as Queen continues to grieve
• Asked not to attend Windsor, some just couldn’t stay away
• 13 key moments from Prince Philip’s funeral
• Philip’s coffin filmed being lowered into royal vault by electric motor
• Queen could take ‘step back’ from duties after Philip’s death, says royal historian
• Harry, William and Kate seen speaking after funeral
• Topless protester taken away by police outside funeral

[18 April 2021 09:19 · Chiara Giordano]

13 key moments from Prince Philip’s funeral - in pictures

My colleague Stephanie Cockroft has put together this guide to the key moments of Prince Philip’s funeral, which featured a spectacle of pomp and pageantry in a nod to the duke’s long association with the Armed Forces, but also more simple touches.

[18 April 2021 09:51 · Chiara Giordano]

Asked not to attend Windsor, some just couldn’t stay away

As the world’s media gathered to watch, hundreds packed the streets outside Windsor Castle to pay their final respects to the Queen’s “strength and stay” of more than 70 years.

[18 April 2021 10:41 · Chiara Giordano]

How Prince Philip and the Queen are related

In this piece, Chelsea Ritchel answers a question often pondered - whether the Queen and Prince Philip were related. (The short answer is yes, albeit distantly.)

[18 April 2021 11:19 · Chiara Giordano]

Queen carried ‘Prince Philip’s handkerchief and Malta photograph’ in handbag during funeral

The Queen reportedly carried one of Prince Philip’s trademark handkerchiefs and a photograph of the couple as newlyweds in Malta in her handbag during yesterday’s funeral.

A royal insider told the Daily Mail the monarch kept the special mementoes close in tribute to her husband of 73 years as she sat alone in St George’s Chapel for the service.

[18 April 2021 11:50 · Chiara Giordano]

Poignant story behind brooch Camilla wore to funeral

The Duchess of Cornwall made a special tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh at his funeral on Saturday with her choice of brooch.

Camilla wore a long black coat with a silver brooch known as the Rifles Brooch, which refers to her role as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles, a ceremonial position in the infantry regiment of the British Army.

My colleague Olivia Petter explains its significance in this piece:

[18 April 2021 12:20 · Chiara Giordano]

Prince Philip’s secret return visit to the island of his birth

Born on the Greek island of Corfu in 1921, Prince Philip was bundled out of the country in an orange cart when he was just a baby, or so the story goes. While few Corfiots have any sentimental attachment to the late prince, he remains an undeniable part of the island’s colourful history.

And it has now emerged that he made one final journey to his place of birth, thirty years after the family’s escape.

Alex Sakalis has this exclusive report: