What Happens Now That Prince Philip Has Died?

Yesterday, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Prince Philip – the Duke of Edinburgh – at the age of 99. It is believed that he died peacefully at Windsor Castle on Friday morning.

‘It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,’ a statement from the palace said. ‘His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.’

What happens when Prince Philip dies?

Now, as the news of Prince Philips death spreads online, many are wondering what happens next. ‘What happens when Prince Philip dies’, 'What happens when Prince Philip passes away', ‘Prince Philip day of mourning’ and 'Prince Philip state funeral' are all breakout search terms on Google Trends as the public scramble for more information.

Will Prince Philip have a state funeral?

In their official statement, the palace said ‘further announcements will be made in due course’. However, reports state that he will be given a royal ceremonial funeral rather than a state funeral, in line with his wishes. Buckingham Palace have announced that the funeral will adhere to current lockdown rules, meaning no more than 30 mourners.

The Queen will in turn sign off on the final plans over the next few days.

Will there be a national day of mourning?

Whenever a member of the royal family dies there are strict protocols in place. According to reports, the Queen will now enter a period of mourning for eight days during which all of her state affairs are paused. A further period of royal mourning is expected to last another 30 days with all royal duties suspended.

As a whole, the UK will now enter a national period of mourning which will last until the funeral. The national mourning period is to be 'observed by all,' including national representatives serving abroad. While traditions for national periods of mourning vary around the world, usually a big memorial service is held and events, schools and television programmes may hold a minute's silence as a mark of respect.

Members of the public have been asked not to participate in any events that make up the funeral, as per current lockdown restrictions. An online Book of Condolence is available for those wishing to express their feelings about the Duke's passing, with the website noting that 'a selection of messages will be passed on to members of the Royal Family, and may be held in the Royal Archives for posterity.'

Flags are lowered and newsreaders wear black, members of parliament will wear also black armbands. According to guidance issued by the National Association of Civic Officers (NACO), mass events may be cancelled or rescheduled. They also suggest flying flags at half mast, marking silence and having designated flower-laying areas for the public.

There is no mandate for a bank holiday on said national day of mourning nor on the day of Prince Philip's funeral - normally, only a reigning monarch's funeral is a bank holiday.

When is Prince Philip's funeral and how will Covid restrictions change plans?

While Prince Philip has been open about his wishes for a simple funeral, there will still be ceremony and customs. As a veteran of the Royal Navy, he will have a military funeral taking place at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in Berkshire in around a week’s time. After, he will be interred in the Royal family vault beneath the chapel.

The Duke’s coffin will remain at Windsor Castle on Friday but is expected to be taken by road to the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, on Saturday where it would be taken inside by a bearer party of foot guards. It will be draped with the Duke’s personal standard and a wreath of flowers.

Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle be able to attend Prince Philip's funeral?

With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle living in California at the moment, it’s also unclear how funeral arrangements will be altered to ensure they can attend. Under current lockdown rules, anyone arriving into England must quarantine for 10 days and take two coronavirus tests while in quarantine. Luckily, the US is not on England’s travel ban red list – which includes 39 countries you are not allowed to travel into the UK from. However, quarantine rules will still apply to the couple.

Where will Prince Philip be buried?

The majority of Britain’s monarchs are then buried in Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel, however both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are buried in a mausoleum in Frogmore Gardens where – according to reports – Prince Philip will likely be laid to rest too.

What is the new royal line of succession after Prince Philip's death?

When it comes to the line of succession, nothing is set to change as Prince Philip was not in line to throne. Prince Charles is first in the line of succession, Prince William is second in line to the throne, followed by Kate and William's three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.

Click through for poignant images of the Queen and Prince Philip: