Prince Philip: Royal family 'knew this was coming' says expert

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Prince Philip passed away on Friday, aged 99, but despite the relatively sudden death, the Duke had already ironed out much of the detail of his funeral plans. A royal expert, who has recently written a biography of the royal, explained Philip had planned for a funeral to take place during the Covid pandemic.

Robert Jobson’s biography of the Duke, titled ‘Prince Philip’s Century: The Extraordinary Life of the Duke of Edinburgh’ will be out for release next month.

The biographer discusses the Queen’s husband’s funeral plans, which he states were meticulously planned.

He wrote: “Philip was as pragmatic about death as he was practical in life.

“His first instruction was that he would not die in hospital, but at Windsor Castle, his home.

“Further detailed instructions for his own funeral, known by the codename ‘Operation Forth Bridge’, were to be carried out to the letter and were incontestable.”

Mr Jobson went on to state he had altered his funeral arrangements in case he were to die while Covid restrictions were in force.

He said: “Everyone with a role in this final piece of solemn theatre knew exactly what to do and when, so that it could be carried out, as Philip planned, with the minimum of fuss.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic first struck in March 2020 and both he and the Queen were forced to relocate and self-isolate at Windsor he agreed to simplify the funeral arrangements still further should anything happen to him.

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“He never liked loose ends.”

The news of Prince Philip’s death was announced on Friday by a formal notice posted on the gates of Buckingham Palace, as the Duke had requested.

Two female members of staff placed the message outside, which lay in a brown frame.

The sign read: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

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“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

“Further announcements will be made in due course.

“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

It was signed off with the date of his death.

The notice was only left on display for about an hour, before it was removed due to overcrowding and concerns that mourners could breach Covid rules.

Though Prince Philip had just spent a month in hospital prior to passing away, his death still came as a shock.

Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, said on Sunday: “However much one tries to prepare oneself for something like this, it is still a dreadful shock and we are still coming to terms with that – it is very very sad.

“I have to say, the extraordinary tributes and the memories that everybody has had and have been willing to share has been so fantastic.

“It just goes to show, he might have been our father, grandfather and father-in-law, but he meant so much so many other people.”

‘Prince Philip’s Century: The Extraordinary Life of the Duke of Edinburgh’ by Robert Jobson will be available to buy from May 13.

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