Duke of Sussex pays tribute to Prince Philip: ‘Grandpa was a legend of jokes’ Brighton News

The Queen and her family gathered to bid farewell to Philip, who passed away peacefully just over a week ago at Windsor Castle and has been hailed as the country’s ‘grandfather’ by his son the Duke from York.

As the funeral began, the nation stopped to observe a minute of silence in memory of the Duke, who died a few months before his 100th birthday.

Photos: PA Media

Covid-19 regulations have reduced the scope of the service with public items canceled, mourners reduced from around 800 to just 30, and all guests wearing face masks and sitting apart.

The Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal led the royals to walk behind their father’s coffin a short distance between the castle and St George’s Chapel.

The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge joined the procession but were separated by their cousin Peter Phillips.

They were seated opposite each other in St George’s Chapel during the service, with William next to his wife Kate.

Carving out a solitary figure in the front of the notebook, closest to the altar, the queen sat down away from her children.

There remained a space next to her where her 73-year-old husband, the Duke, would have sat.

Personal, funny and revealing tributes were paid by the Duke’s children and grandchildren who knew him best, and saw a side of the Duke only seen by the outside world.

The Duke of Sussex summed up his ‘grandfather’ as ‘barbecue master, legend of jokes and cheeky to the end’ as the Duke of Cambridge pledged to keep his wishes and continue to support the Queen and to “continue with the work”.

The Duke of Sussex and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge could be seen chatting together after leaving the service.

Philip’s death came at a time of upheaval for the royal family with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex accusing them of racism and lack of support against their family in their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Harry also opened up about a breakup with his brother William and father Charles, and this week funeral plans revealed he would not be walking side-by-side with his brother in the funeral procession or sitting together in the inside the chapel.

In an unexpected move, it was announced that military uniforms would not be worn but a morning coat with medals or day dresses.

This meant that Harry – who lost his honorary military titles after stepping down from the royal family – would not be moved and it ended reports that the Duke of York was considering wearing the admiral’s uniform.

Andrew was due to be promoted to admiral in 2020 to mark his 60th birthday, but after the fallout from his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, he did not receive the honor.