Prince Philip funeral updates – Senior royals to be SLASHED as Charles and William hold crunch summit on family's future
PRINCE Charles and William are set to "hold a summit on the future" of the Monarchy and are planning to slim down the Royal Family
The future kings are set to discuss plans of a slimmed-down monarchy over the next two generations.
Charles and William, with the assistance of the Her Majesty, will decide on which members of the family will retain senior royal roles and what they should do, according to the Telegraph.
It comes after the Queen paid an emotional farewell to her late husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, during his funeral on Saturday.
Due to Covid restrictions, the Queen was forced to sit alone inside Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel as she led the Royal Family in mourning at the funeral of her beloved husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
And after Saturday's service, Kate Middleton acted as a peacemaker between Prince Harry and William as they shared a private chat while walking away from Philip's emotional funeral.
The tender reunion after more than a year apart, came after they stood apart to walk behind their grandfather's coffin, and were sat separately in the chapel.
Dressed in a face mask and in sombre black, it was the first time the Queen, grieving for her devoted companion of 73 years, has been officially seen in public since Philip died eight days ago.
And the Duke's coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault at St George's Chapel – and was broadcast live for the first time in history.
Accompanied by her loyal lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey, the Queen made her way from the Sovereign's Entrance in the State Bentley, as the national anthem was played, to join the solemn funeral procession.
Philip's coffin, draped in his striking 12ft personal standard and decorated with a wreath of flowers specially chosen by the monarch, and his Admiral of the Fleet Naval Cap and sword, was carried into St George's Chapel.
It had been lifted into place by Grenadier Guardsmen onto the rear of the dark bronze green Land Rover Defender hearse the duke designed himself.
The Duke's association with the Royal Navy and love of the sea was a focus of the service – but in line with his wishes there was no sermon.
More than 730 members of the armed forces took part in the event, but there is a limit of 30 mourners at St George's Chapel, under Covid rules.
Meanwhile, almost 14 million Brits tuned in to watch the duke's funeral.
The one-hour service was viewed by 11million people on the BBC, 2.1million on ITV and around 450,000 on Sky.
Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog below for the latest updates…
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
PHILIP BURIED WITH ENGRAVED SWORD
PRINCE Philip has been buried with a special engraved sword given to him by King George VI when he married the Queen in 1947 and is engraved with a message from his father-in-law.
Her Majesty, 94, laid the Duke of Edinburgh, who stood by her side for seven decades of unwavering service, to rest in St George’s Chapel on Saturday.
The Duke’s body was then interred in the Royal Vault of St George’s Chapel after being placed on a catafalque on a marble slab.
But this is not his final resting place, as he will eventually be buried alongside his doting wife when she passes away.
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
ROYAL 'FROSTINESS TO HARRY
ROYAL insiders have said Harry has experienced “a great deal of frostiness” from many of his relatives.
They told the Mail On Sunday: “Ironically the only one who has expressed any sympathy towards him is Prince Andrew.
“He knows from Sarah Fergueson – and now first hand – how it feels to be the outsider, which Harry very much is.
“As far as the others are concerned, there is a deep sense of protection towards the Queen and resentment towards Harry.
“There is little sympathy for him after what he and Meghan said on Oprah.”
Prince Harry was greeted with 'frostiness' by other members of the Royal Family at Philip's funeral, it's claimedCredit: Reuters - Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
MEG ‘WAS RIGHT NOT TO ATTEND FUNERAL’, SAYS EXPERT
Meghan Markle made the right call not to attend Prince Philip’s funeral and follow doctors’ advice, a royal expert has said.
The heavily pregnant Duchess of Sussex has remained in Los Angeles with her son Archie, while Prince Harry has made the solo journey to Windsor.
Royal expert Grant Harrold told the Express: “I think the Duchess would have wanted to be at the funeral to support her husband.
“However, I feel she made the right decision for her unborn child and also due to recent tensions.
“The stress would not be a good idea for anyone at this moment in time.”
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
FUNERAL CALLS AFTER SAD PHOTOS OF QUEEN
CALLS to ease social distancing at funerals were growing last night after images of the Queen grieving alone broke the nation’s heart.
Covid restrictions meant the monarch, 95 this week, could not be comforted inside St George’s Chapel at Windsor as she paid a final farewell to Prince Philip.
Similar heartbreaking scenes have been witnessed at funerals across the country.
Yet, in contrast, some streets were packed with drinkers — and fans began returning to sports events.
Read the full story here.
Images of the Queen grieving alone at Prince Philip's funeral broke the nationâs heartCredit: AP - Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
QUEEN 'SUPPORTED BY EDWARD'
THE Queen is being supported by her son Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Wessex after the couple joined her for tea following Prince Philip's funeral.
The monarch's family have rallied around her after the death of her husband of 73 years – with Sophie said to be a particular pillar of support.
And after heartbreaking images of the Queen sitting alone at the chapel in Windsor were beamed around the world, she was joined by Edward, Sophie and their children, Lady Louise, 17 and James, Viscount Severn, 13, for tea.
Shy Sophie has stepped up to take care of the monarch after the Duke of Edinburgh's death.
She and Edward were among the first to visit the Queen in the hours after Philip died at Windsor
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
1M MORE BRITS WATCH PHILIP FUNERAL THAN OPRAH CHAT
ONE million more Brits tuned in to watch Philip's funeral than Harry and Meghan's chat with Oprah Winfrey.
The BBC's live coverage, fronted by veteran newsreader Huw Edwards, pulled in more than 11 million viewers at its peak, which was five times ITV's viewing figures.
The one-hour service, between 3pm and 4pm, was also viewed by 450,000 on Sky, BBC News reported, citing figures from the official Barb overnight averages for the hour-long time slot.
However, Harry and Meghan's tell-all interview with Oprah only attracted 12.4 million viewers at its peak when it was screened on this side of the Atlantic.
The BBC devoted almost four hours to the event and viewing peaked just after 3pmCredit: AP - Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
WILL AND HARRY MEET FOR FIRST TIME SINCE OPRAH INTERVIEW
SATURDAY'S funeral was the first time Harry and William have seen each other since last month's Oprah Winfrey interview.
Harry is said to have received a "frosty" welcome by other members of the Royal Family at Philip's funeral.
During their CBS chat with Oprah, Harry and Meghnaccused senior royals of making racist comments and ignoring the Duchess of Sussex's cries for help when she was struggling.
Harry also claimed William was "trapped" in the royal family – before his brother hit back when questioned by reporters.
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
ARTHUR URGES HARRY AND WILL TO END FEUD
THE SUN'S royal photographer Arthur Edwards has urged Prince Harry and William to end their "stupid" feud immediately.
The veteran lensman said the fallout had gone on "too long" and it was about time they patched things up after their grandfather's funeral.
Speaking on ITV, he told Lorraine this morning: "The best out of it is William and Harry talking again.
"That feud has got to stop, it's stupid it's carrying on, too long now."
The warring brothers met up away from the cameras following the televised serviceCredit: PA - Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
WHO IS BURIED AT WINDSOR CASTLE?
PRINCE Philip was laid to rest in the Royal Vault of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle after he died aged 99.
This will not be the Duke's final resting place as his body will be moved to the King George VI memorial chapel when the Queen dies, where they will lie together.
Read the full story here.
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
CHARLES 'HOPES WILL LEADS HARRY TALKS'
CHARLES wants William to lead talks with Harry to heal the family’s Megxit rift, it is claimed.
The Prince of Wales reportedly expects the Duke of Cambridge to “take the lead” in crunch talks with Harry in a bid to save the brothers' relationship.
Saturday's Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral was the brothers' first meeting since the explosive Oprah interview in March.
Millionssaw William and Harry speaking to each other as they walked side by side away from St George’s Chapel – having been deliberately kept apart during the procession an hour earlier.
The feuding brothers, who were “united by grief” after Philip’s death, spent two hours together after the ceremony.
Prince Charles is set to hold talks with William and Harry to mend their rift - Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
CHARLES'S HARRY AND WILLIAM PEACE PLAN
IT'S been reported that Prince Charles may have masterminded a plan to bring Harry and William together at Philip's funeral.
The Prince of Wales is said to have sent away cars after his father's funeral to allow Harry and William the chance to talk.
Dickie Arbiter, the Queen's former press secretary, told GMB he would have been "very surprised" if the brothers hadn't spent time talking after the funeral.
He said: "It was probably Charles' initiative sending the cars away so that everybody could walk 200 metres back to the castle as a good ice breaker," he said.
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
HARRY 'ANXIOUS TO RETURN TO US'
PRINCE Harry is reportedly anxious to return to the United States to be with his pregnant wife Meghan Markle after attending his grandfather Philip's funeral.
Harry, 36, flew back to the UK from the home he shares with Meghan, 39, and son Archie in California to attend the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral at Windsor on Saturday.
His return ticket has been left open, meaning he can go back to the US at any time.
However Harry is "anxious" to get back to America and Meghan, who is seven months pregnant, according to the Daily Mail.
Read the full story here.
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
KATE'S DIGNITY
KATE Middleton looked dignified as she dressed in black and pearls for Philip's funeral.
The Duchess of Cambridge was seen appearing to try to reunite warring brothers Harry and William as they left St George's Chapel on Saturday.
She was also seen consoling Prince Charles, her father-in-law, who looked distraught.
Kate has been described as the "the rock the monarchy will depend on" by royal biographer Brian Hoey.
Immaculately-dressed and elegant in pearls, Kate is the Royal Family's new rockCredit: Getty Images – Getty - Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
QUEEN'S LONELIEST BIRTHDAY
THE Queen is facing her loneliest ever birthday as she celebrates turning 95th with just a tiny “bubble” and no Prince Philip.
Her majesty's 95th birthday falls on Wednesday, just four days after her husband's funeral.
But only a tiny group of staff in Windsor Castle will be there to celebrate wit her, it's reported.
There have been reports that Prince Harry may now stay on for his grandmother's 95th celebrations this Wednesday.
It's thought the Queen will be with a tiny group of staff that make up her 'bubble' in Windsor CastleCredit: pixel8000 - Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
QUEEN 'WON'T RELEASE BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT'
THE Queen won't release a new portrait for her 95th birthday this week as she mourns the loss of Prince Philip, it is claimed.
There will also reportedly be no gun salute to mark the occasion for the second year running.
The monarch will continue to observe a period of mourning until Thursday meaning this year's celebrations will be scaled back.
Plans to mark her birthday on Wednesday with a new portrait have been abandoned, the Daily Mail reports.
And the traditional 41-gun and 21-gun salutes in London's Hyde Park and the Tower of London have also been cancelled, the Ministry of Defence said.
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
ARTHUR EDWARDS 'WAS JUST YARDS AWAY'
SUN photographer Arthur Edwards has written an emotional account of Saturday's royal funeral.
The legendary snapper took stunning shots during Prince Philip's funeral ceremony.
He hid inside a fake pillar to capture the moment that Philip's coffin was carried into St George's Chapel by eight Royal Marines.
Read Arthur's recollections of the historic occasion here.
Arthur was just yards away from the raw emotion at Prince Philip's funeral and saw the pain up closeCredit: The Sun - Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
ANDREW'S NEW BENTLEY
EXCLUSIVE by Matt Wilkinson
PRINCE Andrew left his father’s funeral on Saturday in his new £220,000 Bentley.
The Duke of York, who quit royal duty 18 months ago over links to dead paedo pal Jeffrey Epstein, was spotted in the green Bentley Flying Spur for the first time.
The 200mph motor left Windsor Castle with Andrew, 61, in the back as he headed to the nearby Royal Lodge home he shares with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, also 61.
The saloon was blue when delivered in September.
Read the full story here.
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
CHARLES 'TO TAKE HARRY FOR A WALK'
PRINCE Charles hopes to take Prince Harry for a walk around Windsor to look at tributes for the Duke of Edinburgh, it has been reported.
Prince Harry is said to have faced "frostiness" after returning to the UK for the funeral, and he could return to California soon to be with his pregnant wife.
But sources have claimed Charles will take the opportunity of Harry’s time at home for some father-son bonding before he jets off.
Royal insiders told The Mail On Sunday he intends to spend some time with the Duke of Sussex this week.
They said: “There has been talk that Charles will walk around Windsor with Harry to look at some of the tributes and spend some time together.”
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
MORE THAN 13M BRITS WATCH FUNERAL
PRINCE Philip's funeral on Saturday was watched live on television by more than 13 million people in the UK.
The moving hour-long ceremony was viewed by 11 million people on the BBC.
There were 2.1 million viewers tuning in to ITV's coverage with another 450,000 on Sky.
Many more are thought to have watched coverage online, with people tuning in around the globe.
Princess Diana's 1997 funeral saw 31 million Brits tune in, a television record audience figure.
More than 13 million Brits watched Prince Philip's funeral live on TVCredit: Getty - Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
CHARLES TO BECOME 'QUASI-KING'
PRINCE Charles will become a "quasi-king" as he steps up as "patriarch of the family" – but the Queen will "never abdicate", a royal expert has claimed.
Robert Jobson said the Duke of Cornwall will do "state visits" on the Queen's behalf, but there is "no doubt" she will "carry on" following the death of Prince Philip.
Talking to Omid Scobie on ABC's podcast The Heir Pod, Jobson said there is "scope for change", suggesting that Charles, 72, will become a "quasi-king".
"The Prince of Wales will step up, in a way he’s already been doing that for the past five years, but now he truly is the patriarch of the family because the Duke of Edinburgh is dead," Jobson said.
Read the full story here.
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
SINN FEIN 'SORRY'
SINN Fein has said sorry for the IRA murder of Prince Philip’s uncle Lord Mountbattenmore than 40 years ago
The terrorist group exploded a bomb on Lord Mountbatten’s boat in August 1979 the coast of the Republic of Ireland.
His 14-year-old grandson and a 15-year-old local boy were killed in the blast, which also killed Lady Brabourne, 83.
Yesterday, Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald made the historic apology for the “heartbreaking” assassination.
Prince Charles with Lord Mountbatten, pictured centre, and his father Prince PhilipCredit: The Sun
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY ROTA
THE QUEEN celebrates her 95th birthdayon Wednesday with royals agreeing a rota to visit her, it's reported.
Members of the Windsor clan will take it in turns to visit the Queen for walks in Windsor with her two new corgi pups, it's claimed.
The Queen, who turns 95 on April 21, has said she was “coping” after having attended the funeral of her devoted husband of 73 years on Saturday.
She was spotted on Sunday driving out of Windsor Castle in a green Jaguar.
Read the full story here.
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
ROYAL SUMMIT
PRINCE Charles and Prince William are due to host a summit to decide the future of the monarchy.
It comes amid reports that the Prince of Wales will assume more of the Queen's roles in a transition to a 'soft regency'.
Charles and William, the next two royals in line to the throne, will reportedly discuss plans for a slimmed-down monarchy over the next two generations.
The Queen will reportedly help them decide which royals will retain senior roles.
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
MEGHAN PRESS RELEASE
MEGHAN Markle issued an press release ahead of Prince Philip's funeral to announce she would be watching the ceremony from home.
The Duchess of Sussex confirmed she was observing the service stateside in a statement delivered by her and Harry's 'Global Press Secretary'.
The heavily pregnant 39-year-old stayed in the US on doctor's orders while Prince Harry made the 5,400-mile trip ahead of the event.
The statement touched on the reasons for her notable absence, reading: "I can confirm that The Duchess will be watching from home as she was hopeful to be able to attend, but was not cleared for travel by her physician at this stage in her pregnancy," the Mail reports.
Read the full story here.
Meghan released a statement confirming she was watching Philip's funeral from the USCredit: AFP - Alex Winter
'YOU FELT LIKE REACHING OUT TO HUG HER'
More from Good Morning Britain.
Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter said the funeral was "powerful and emotive" – and many Brits will have wanted to hug the Queen.
"We all know somebody who has passed away this past year, so we could empathise with royals," he said.
"She cut such a lonely figure you felt like reaching out to hug her, to comfort her."
Source: Read Full Article