Prince Philip’s funeral: Soldiers carry out rehearsal drills in Woking

Soldiers from the Household Cavalry and Coldstream Guards today carried out rehearsal drills for Prince Philip’s farewell on Saturday, as a security ring of steel went up around Windsor ahead of the funeral.

The preparations, involving members of the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals, took place on the Drill Square at the Army Training Centre Pirbright in Woking, Surrey. 

Soldiers from the Welsh Guards, the Coldstream Guards, and the Royal Regiment of Scotland 4 Scots (the Highlanders) were also involved in practice sessions ahead of the funeral at Windsor Castle.

Armed guards and wardens continued to patrol outside Windsor as preparations were made to the streets outside including signs referred to the coronavirus pandemic, saying: ‘Don’t let your guard down.’

It came as mourners continued to gather outside royal residences to pay their respects following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh five days ago aged 99. 

Elsewhere, media companies were busy setting up tents for broadcasting facilities ahead of Saturday while Thames Valley Police are carrying out specialist searches around Windsor town, with officers examining street furniture including phone boxes, post boxes, drains and bins as part of the operation. 

One Royal Navy commander said the magnitude of being involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral has not quite sunk in for members of the military.

Philip’s close association with the military will be on show at his ceremonial funeral this weekend, with elements of the Royal Navy, RAF and Army present during an eight-minute procession in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The duke had a distinguished career in the Navy, and while he gave up active service in 1951 he remained closely connected to the Navy and other military organisations throughout his public life.

Lieutenant Commander Hywell Morgan, commanding officer on HMS Magpie, is among hundreds of military personnel rehearsing this week for the funeral at Army Training Centre Pirbright, near Woking, Surrey.

Looking ahead to Saturday, he said: ‘It’s a slightly nerve-racking experience really. I don’t think the magnitude of it has quite sunk in. 

‘It’s an incredible privilege to be involved given the connection between the unit I currently command and the Duke of Edinburgh’s own command back in the early 1950s.’

In July 1950, Philip was promoted to lieutenant commander and given his first command of HMS Magpie – a name that lives on in the current Navy fleet.

Lieutenant Commander Morgan, from the Rhondda Valley in South Wales, said: ‘There’s definitely a sense of following in the footsteps of greats, even though our vessels are considerably different in scope and size.’

He described the last few days as a ‘baptism of fire’, adding: ‘I don’t think the magnitude has quite sunk in for me personally, I think for some of the others as well.

‘But as we line up ready to march off on Saturday I’m sure it will sink in, and the true impact of just the scale of that event will sink in.’

Pirbright was chosen for rehearsals due to its proximity to Windsor and the infrastructure that allows for regular Covid-19 testing and accommodation.

The majority of the personnel gathered today were in their barrack dress as they practised parading and bands rehearsed music in a large space on the site. 

Captain Gemma Darrington, operations officer for 27th Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, spoke of the importance of the rehearsals being Covid compliant.

She said organisers are ‘making sure we were doing everything that society would do and making sure our people are as safe as possible’, adding that personnel have been subject to Covid tests and social distancing is enforced.

‘Everything is made more difficult by Covid. Simple things – normally you can accommodate 1,000 people here, but that’s been reduced to 500 people, and so key for us is keeping bubbles as small as possible, so if anyone does contract it it’s affecting as few people as possible.

‘Again, you want to reduce that spread. It is just that detailed planning of how you get everyone in here in that Covid-compliant manner and safely.

‘It’s a huge honour. I don’t think we’ve really had time to think about it, and the magnitude of the event that we’re supporting, because we have been very busy.

‘But I very much look forward to taking that time on Saturday when the service is going ahead and take the time to think about the royal family, and what they’re going through, and really paying our respects in that way.

‘But absolutely, we know we’re playing a part in history here and we do feel very privileged to be in that role.’ 

One cafe worker in Windsor said the Duke of Edinburgh was a ‘big part of the community’, and is expecting the Berkshire town to be ‘very busy’ on the day of Philip’s ceremonial royal funeral at St George’s Chapel. 

Tone Mendez, who has worked at the nearby Clairmont’s cafe for 12 years, said he may be working from 3am that day due to an expected influx of visitors.

But the 39-year-old, originally from Portugal, said the cafe in the High Street has been ordered by the local council not to put any tables outside.

Authorities have already warned well-wishers not to visit the town on the day of the funeral due to concerns over the potential transmission of Covid-19.

‘This weekend we received a letter from the council saying we’re not allowed to put any tables from Friday night until six o’clock on Saturday,’ Mr Mendez said.

‘It is a big shame. It will be lovely to put all the tables out and people just sit there on (a) sunny day. But they probably think the town is going to be very busy and, for safety reasons, we’re not allowed to put tables outside.’  

He said the last time such a rule was imposed was for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May 2018, when thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.

Asked about his expectations for Saturday, Mr Mendez said: ‘I believe it’s going to be very, very busy. I’ve been hearing things around that they are going to shut Windsor, but I don’t know if it’s true or not.’

Mr Mendez said lockdown had meant a ‘tough few weeks’ for the cafe, but the last few days have been ‘quite intense’. He added: ‘Windsor is packed now. Every weekend is going mental now,. And we expect to be more busy this weekend.’

The duke’s funeral will take place entirely behind the walls of Windsor Castle, with members of the public urged not to visit the historic market town to try to watch the proceedings.

John Story, mayor of Windsor and Maidenhead, previously said: ‘It is a very difficult time for people and people have very strong feelings, but we have to ask everyone to put theirs and the health and safety of others at the top of their list of priorities and not come in to Windsor.’

When he initially learned of Philip’s death from his daughter, Mr Mendez said he thought it was ‘a joke’ but when he saw ‘a lot of people walking by with flowers’ he knew it was ‘real’.

He added: ‘He’s a big part of the community of Windsor. We see him in the Long Walk riding his horses… at the market he’s there talking to people. He’s a very nice person to deal with. But now he’s gone, it’s a shame.’

Thames Valley Police have also advised people to respect the Royal Household’s wishes and Government advice by not visiting royal residences or gathering in public to protect against coronavirus transmission.

Additional officers are due to be patrolling Windsor town centre. The UK is officially in a period of national mourning for the next week, up to and including Philip’s funeral on Saturday afternoon. 

The service at St George’s Chapel will be like no other, with the Queen and her family wearing face masks and socially distancing as they gather to say their final farewell amid Covid-19 restrictions.  

Philip’s wishes are the driving force behind the funeral plans, and on the day his coffin will be transported from the castle to the chapel in a specially modified Land Rover he helped to design.

This will be followed by Prince Charles and senior royals on foot. The coffin will be covered by the duke’s personal standard together with his naval cap and sword and a wreath of flowers.

Only 30 people – expected to be the Duke’s children, grandchildren and other close family – will attend as guests, but the Duchess of Sussex has been advised by her doctor not to travel to the UK for the funeral.

Mourners coming from outside England are required to self-isolate for the first full ten days after they arrive, but are allowed to leave on compassionate grounds to attend a funeral of a close family member.

The Duke of Sussex, who is in quarantine at Frogmore Cottage after travelling from the US, could also be released from quarantine if he gets a negative private test on day five under the Test to Release scheme.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given up his seat at the funeral to allow a family member to attend. While all public elements of the funeral – to take place entirely in the grounds of the castle – have been cancelled, it will be televised.

As the funeral procession makes its way through the grounds of the castle, Charles will be joined by senior royals – but not the Queen – walking behind the coffin and followed by Philip’s household, the most senior figure his private secretary Brigadier Archie Miller-Bakewell.

The route of the procession will be lined by representatives from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and RAF and the Service chiefs will walk ahead of the coffin, with the cortege led by the Band of the Grenadier Guards.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and David Conner, the Dean of Windsor, are expected to officiate at the service. 

The duke died peacefully in his sleep at Windsor Castle on Friday, two months before his 100th birthday. On Saturday, gun salutes were fired across the UK, in Gibraltar and at sea in tribute. 

The royal family has appealed to people who wish to pay their respects in person to stay at home instead.

The Queen may have to sit alone during the service due to social distancing rules, the Telegraph has reported. She is staying at Windsor with a reduced number of around 22 staff, in what has been dubbed HMS Bubble. 

It is thought Philip’s funeral could attract one of the largest television audiences of the year.

The biggest TV audience so far saw 25.1 million people watch Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s televised address on January 4 announcing a new national lockdown, while 13.9 million viewers tuned in for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview with US broadcaster Oprah Winfrey last month.

Broadcasters have yet to confirm their plans for Philip’s funeral, but the BBC and ITV are likely to devote several hours to the event, including the ceremony at 3pm.