The royal family is preparing to lay the body of Prince Philip to rest on Saturday, April 17, 2021. As with anything they do, there are a multitude of rules and traditions the family is expected to adhere to. Recent events, including the investigation into Prince Andrew and the interview Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave to Oprah Winfrey, have called a few of those rules and traditions into question.
One of those traditions is the donning of military uniforms at the funeral. Senior members of the royal family have honorary military status, and quite a few members of the family have actually held military careers. Prince Harry is one of the most decorated of the family members, but he was stripped of his military titles and honors when he stepped back from his duties as a senior royal.
Prince Andrew initially raised eyebrows when he reportedly asked to wear a military uniform to the funeral; Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2020 owing to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Many were surprised that Prince Andrew had the gall to even make such a request. While some are citing the Queen's decision to ban military uniforms as an effort to spare Harry the embarrassment of not wearing one, some think that it's far more likely the family didn't want to wade into the murky waters that still threaten to engulf Prince Andrew.
A military source explained that banning military uniforms is what makes the most sense for everyone: "It's the most eloquent solution to the problem." The Navy was reportedly quite annoyed that Prince Andrew might have the opportunity to don his admiral apparel.
What people wear to the funeral isn't the only discussion on the table right now. After much discussion about when and where Prince Harry and Prince William will stand and walk during the procession, People is reporting that the pair will not walk next to each other.
The publication writes, "William, 38, and Harry, 36, will both join family members in walking behind their grandfather's coffin, but their cousin, Peter Phillips (the son of Princess Anne), is set to walk between them."
A source inside Buckingham Palace also told People that the order was arranged in accordance with Queen Elizabeth's desires. "This is a funeral and we are not going to be drawn into perceptions of drama. The arrangements have been agreed and represent Her Majesty's wishes."
Other outlets are reporting that though the brothers will not be walking together, they have spoken since Prince Harry returned to the UK earlier this week. The Telegraph reports that the pair have at least shared a phone conversation, though the specifics have not been shared.
The number of attendees has also been restricted to 30, though ABC's royal expert Robert Jobson believes Prince Philip would have preferred it that way: "The fact that it's a scaled-down funeral is exactly what Prince Phillip would have wanted. Because really it's all about family in the end, whether you're a king or a pauper."
The Queen will also be required to sit alone and to wear a face mask throughout the funeral. Members of households who are currently living together can sit together, but health restrictions require those who do not to be socially distant from one another. The Queen had been at home with only Prince Philip and their staff.
