Prince Philip's funeral to be held at Windsor Castle next week

Duke of Sussex to attend small gathering but wife Meghan to stay in US

The Honourable Artillery Company fires a gun salute at the Tower of London, with Tower Bridge in the background, to mark the death of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the age of 99. Getty Images

The Death Gun Salute is fired by the 104th Regiment Royal Artillery to mark the death of Prince Philip, at Cardiff Castle in Wales. AFP

Britain's Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex arrive at Windsor Castle, England. AP Photo

Members of the Household Cavalry ride past Buckingham Palace, London. Reuters

Members of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery arrive at the Parade Ground, Woolwich Barracks, London. AFP

Members of the Honourable Artillery Company in advance of a gun salute to mark the death of Prince Philip, at the Tower of London. AFP

A well-wisher waits in line to lay a floral tribute to Britain's Prince Philip, outside Buckingham Palace, London. AFP

A cyclist rides past a digital display commemorating Prince Philip, in Glasgow, Scotland. Getty Images

Rugby players observe a minute's silence in tribute to Prince Philip before the European Challenge Cup Quarter Final match between Bath Rugby and London Irish, in Bath, England. Reuters

Copies of the 'Courier Mail' at a news stand in Brisbane, Australia, with news of Prince Philip's death. Getty Images

Flags on Sydney Harbour Bridge fly at half-mast, in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images

Flags at half-mast outside the Senedd, home of the Welsh Parliament, in Cardiff, Wales. Getty Images

Members of media near a community gate at the home of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex in Montecito, California, US, after the announcement of the death of Britain's Prince Philip. AP Photo

Actor Sir Ian McKellen looks at floral tributes outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England. Getty Images

The big screen inside the stadium displays a commemorative message on the death of Prince Philip, at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground, in Manchester, England. Getty Images

The British Columbia Legislature flies the Canadian flag at half-mast in Victoria, as piper Ken Wilson plays the 'Heights of Dargai'. AP Photo

Floral tributes outside Buckingham Palace in London. Getty Images

Floral tributes outside Windsor Castle. Getty Images

A mourner draped in a British Union Jack flag takes pictures of flowers placed outside Windsor Castle. Reuters

Miniature Schnauzer dog Lady Trixie of Linfield sits in front of tributes to Prince Philip at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland, during the midday 41 gun salute. Getty Images

Naomi Armstrong and her daughters Lily and Essie leave a bunch of flowers at the gates of Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland, in tribute to Prince Philip. Getty Images

The Union Jack flag flies at half-mast at Buckingham Palace, London. Getty Images

Members of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a gun salute to mark the death of Prince Philip, at the Parade Ground, Woolwich Barracks, London. Reuters

A member of the public person holds a floral tribute to Prince Philip outside Buckingham Palace, London. Reuters

A girl lays flowers as tribute to Prince Philip outside Buckingham Palace, in London. Getty Images

Soldiers from 206 Battery, 105 Royal Artillery, take part in a gun salute to the Duke of Edinburgh at Hillsborough Castle in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland. Getty Images

Britain's Prince Charles addresses the media, outside Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, England, following the death of his father, Prince Philip. AP Photo

A big screen displays an image commemorating Prince Philip, before the Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park, London. Reuters

Prince Philip’s funeral will be held at Windsor Castle next week in a private family service, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The ceremonial event will take place at St George’s Chapel at 3pm local time on April 17. There will be no lying in state.

Close relatives will attend the gathering with the number of mourners restricted to 30 people to comply with the UK’s Covid restrictions.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday that he would give his entitled seat at the funeral to a family member.

Members of the royal family, including the Queen, would be expected to wear a mask under the rules.

“It will be what’s known as a ceremonial royal funeral,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said. “The plans for the funeral are very much in line with the Duke of Edinburgh’s own personal wishes.”

There will be no public access, no public processions and the funeral will take place entirely within the grounds of Windsor Palace.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed that Harry, who has moved to Los Angeles after giving up royal duties, was planning to attend the funeral, but his wife Meghan, who is pregnant, was advised by her doctor not to travel.

Earlier on Saturday, guns salutes were held across Britain to pay tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday at the age of 99.

Flags were flown at half mast on government buildings and sporting events fell silent as a mark of respect to Queen Elizabeth’s late husband.

Members of the public laid flowers outside royal residences, including Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, despite being encouraged to stay away due to concerns over the coronavirus.

“What a life! Thank you for serving our country,” one tribute outside Buckingham Palace read.

This gallery depicts that life.

At one year old, Prince Philip of Greece shows an interest in things floral, July 1922. Getty Images

King Michael of Romania, right, rides with his cousin Prince Philip of Greece on the sands at Constanza, August 1928. Reuters

Prince Philip of Greece dressed for the Gordonstoun School's production of 'MacBeth', in Scotland, July 1935. Getty Images

A rare picture of Prince Philip of Greece at the public school of Gordonstoun, Elgin, Scotland, December 1939. Reuters

Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, prior to his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, working at his desk after returning to his Royal Navy duties at the Petty Officers Training Centre in Corsham, Wiltshire, August 1, 1947. Getty Images

Princess Elizabeth, heiress presumptive to the throne, pictured in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace with her husband to be, Lt Philip Mountbatten, and her sister Princess Margaret, September 1947. Reuters

King George VI, Princess Margaret, Lady Mary Cambridge, Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, London, on November 20, 1947. Getty Images

Undated picture showing the future Queen Elizabeth II of England and Prince Philip of Edinburgh posing with their son Prince Charles, 1949. AFP

His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, enjoys an old-fashioned hoedown held in the honour of the Royal Couple at Rideau Hall, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, October 11, 1951. Getty Images

Undated picture showing the Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with their two children, Charles, Prince of Wales and Princess Anne in 1952. AFP

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip pose after the Queen's Coronation on June 2, 1953, at Buckingham Palace. AFP

The Duke of Edinburgh disembarks from a Harvard Trainer aircraft after a flight, at RAF White Waltham, Berkshire, where he had been training for his 'wings', on May 4, 1953. Getty Images

Prince Charles of Wales with his father Prince Philip of Edinburgh aboard a boat in 1955. AFP

In February 1979, Founding Father Sheikh Zayed and President Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, joined Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, aboard the royal yacht 'Britannia' during the British royals' state visit to the UAE. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh entertain Sultan Qaboos on board the royal yacht Britannia during a state visit to Oman on February 29, 1979 in Muscat, Oman. Getty Images

Prince Charles and Princess Diana on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day, accompanied by Prince Philip, 29 July, 1981. Getty Images

Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi greets the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, on November 2, 1989 in New Dehli. Gandhi, who was about to launch his campaign in the country's upcoming parliamentary elections, inaugurated an exhibition on the world's environment, at which Prince Philip was chief guest as president of the WWF. AFP

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, bursts out in laughter during a conversation with Second World War veterans after a wreath-laying ceremony at the main Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Ramle, Israel, October 30, 1994. AFP

Former South African president Nelson Mandela shares a light moment with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip at Drakenstein Prison, Paarl, about 50 kilometres from Cape Town, on November 5, 2000. AFP

Queen Elizabeth II walks through the Royal Gallery accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh for the State Opening of Parliament on June 20, 2001. AFP

Queen Rania of Jordan and the Duke of Edinburgh at a state banquet at Windsor Castle on November 6, 2001. AFP

A Clarence House official handout photo shows the Prince of Wales and his new bride Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, with their families Prince Harry, Prince William, Tom and Laura Parker Bowles, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla's father Major Bruce Shand, in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony on April 9, 2005 in Windsor, England. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh greet the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, as he arrives at a lunch for Sovereign Monarchs held in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, at Windsor Castle, on May 18, 2012. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, greet the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Windsor Castle on April 30, 2013. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh react as they bid farewell to Irish President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina at the end of their official visit at Windsor Castle on April 11, 2014. Getty Images

Prince Harry and Prince Phillip enjoy the atmosphere during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham on October 31, 2015, in London. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and US actress Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on May 19, 2018. AFP

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh smiles as he talks to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex as they leave St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, west of London, on May 18, 2019, after the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston. AFP

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh flanked by Assistant Colonel Commandant, Major General Tom Copinger-Symes, inspects buglers during the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles at Windsor Castle, July 22, 2020. AFP

Prince Charles praises his 'dear Papa'

The death of the Duke of Edinburgh is a profound loss for the monarch, 94, who once described her husband of 73 years as her “strength and stay” throughout her long reign.

Prince Philip's relationship with Prince Charles was rumoured to be less steady, but the esteem in which the heir to the throne held his "dear Papa" was clear in a tribute delivered outside his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire on Saturday.

"My father, for I suppose the last 70 years, has given the most remarkable, devoted service to the Queen, to my family and to the country - and also to the whole of the Commonwealth," he said.

"And as you can imagine, my family and I miss my father enormously - he was a much-loved and appreciated figure, and apart from anything else, I can imagine he'd be so deeply touched by the number of other people here and elsewhere around the world in the Commonwealth who also, I think, share our loss and our sorrow."

Forty-one artillery rounds were fired in the cities of London, Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh, aboard some Royal Navy ships and in Gibraltar.

The Duke had strong military links and been a member of Royal Navy during the Second World War.

A statement on the royal website said: “The tradition of Gun Salutes being fired throughout the country to mark significant national events dates back to at least the 18th century, and there are historical records of salutes taking place as early as the 14th century when guns and ammunition began to be adopted more widely.

“Similar gun salutes were fired to mark the death of Queen Victoria in 1901.”

The Premier League and other sporting events also paid their respects, with the Football Association recommending that black armbands be worn and a minute’s silence observed before this weekend’s matches.

Because of the pandemic, mass gatherings that follow the death of a senior royal are being discouraged by the palace and the government.

Harry to return for funeral but Meghan will stay in US

Prince Harry is likely to enter quarantine when he arrives back in England but this can end if he provides a negative Covid test after five days.

It will be Harry's first return to Britain after his Oprah Winfrey interview alongside Meghan plunged the royals into their greatest crisis in decades.

During that latest crisis, Philip was in hospital where he spent four weeks having treatment for an infection and to have a heart procedure before returning to Windsor in early March. He died two months before his 100th birthday.

The well-rehearsed protocol for the duke's death includes the recall of parliament on Monday.

British television stations cleared their schedules for special broadcasts looking back on his life, although the BBC said it had received complaints about the blanket coverage.

Westminster Abbey, where the couple married in 1947, tolled its tenor bell 99 times on Friday, once for each year of the prince’s life.

World pays tribute to Prince Philip

Tributes came in from home and abroad with Prime Minister Boris Johnson giving "thanks, as a nation and a kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip".

Political and faith leaders in Britain, and from the US, Europe and Commonwealth countries including Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and Pakistan also paid their respects.

In Australia, flags will be flown at half-mast, and there will be a 41-gun salute in the capital Canberra on Saturday as part of plans for remembrance.

US President Joe Biden highlighted Second World War veteran Philip's long record of duty to the Queen, "the people of the UK, the Commonwealth, and to his family".

He called him a “heck of a guy” who “never slowed down” over his long life.

Tributes also came pouring in from Britain's entertainment royalty, including Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, and cast members of hit Netflix drama The Crown.

Actor Matt Smith, who played Philip in the first two series, said: “Prince Philip was the man. And he knew it. 99 and out but what an innings. And what style.

“Thank you for your service old chap – it won’t be the same without you.”

Tobias Menzies, who played Philip in series three and four, paid tribute with a quote from William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”.

“‘O good old man! how well in thee appears. The constant service of the antique world...’ RIP.”

Philip retired from public duties in 2017 at the age of 96, declaring “I’ve done my bit”.

The couple, who celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in November, had been living largely in isolation at Windsor, because their age put them at heightened risk from Covid-19.

He was last seen at a staged appearance at a military ceremony at Windsor last July, days after attending the wedding ceremony of his granddaughter Princess Beatrice.

An online book of condolences is available on the Royal Family’s website.