Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, retired from public life in 2016 after 64 long years of service. He was, at one time, said to be the busiest member of the Royal Family, tallying up 22,219 solo engagements, giving 5,496 speeches, and writing 14 books in the process. Now, the Duke is enjoying his retirement in the county grounds of the royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk.

While there is no cause for any unnecessary concern over the Duke’s health, it is understandable for the necessary preparations to be in place when this beloved member of the Royal Family dies.

Signs of his wavering health have grown somewhat in the past year.

He had planned surgery on his hip last April and was involved in a car accident earlier this year, after which he surrendered his driving licence.

So what will happen when he dies? Read on for the plans already in place by the Palace.

1. THE ANNOUNCEMENT

The palace will inform the BBC who will break the news first.

If he should die overnight, the official announcement will come the next morning at 8am.

Flags all across the country will be flown at half-mast and the Prime Minister will decide which sporting and business events should be suspended on the day.

2. THE INITIAL RESTING PLACE

Usually, when a royal or important public figure dies, there is a lying-in-state at Westminster Hall, where the public can come and pay respects to the coffin.

Lying-in-state in the UK is given to the Sovereign, as Head of State, the current or past Queen Consort and sometimes former Prime Ministers.

But, as is to be expected from the no-nonsense Prince, it is thought he will go for a quieter, more private affair.

It is thought the Duke’s body will lie at St James’s Palace while funeral preparations are made.

This is the same venue where Princess Diana lay for seven days before her funeral in 1997.

The public is not expected to be able to view the body.

3. THE FUNERAL

Prince Philip is entitled to a full-blown state funeral, including a gun carriage drawn by the Royal Navy and a military procession.

But the private Prince has said he doesn’t want a “fuss,” and it is likely we’ll see a pared-back ceremony.

Prince Philip has been closely involved in the preparations, which are being coordinated by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office at Buckingham Palace.

The service will be held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, and will be a military-style funeral.

The guest list is likely to be only family, friends and heads of state from Commonwealth countries.

4. THE BURIAL

The Prince is not expected to be buried at Westminster Abbey or St George’s chapel, like most monarchs and their consorts.

He will instead be laid to rest in the private Frogmore Gardens, in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The gardens are said to be special to the couple, and it’s where the Queen walks her corgis.

He won’t be alone – Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are also buried in the gardens.

5. THE MOURNING PERIOD

The Queen, 93, will enter an immediate Royal Mourning period of eight days when her husband dies.

During this time, new bills will not be given Royal Assent to become law, and state affairs will be suspended as a mark of respect.

After the funeral, she will continue to mourn in private, but will resume her duties behind closed doors.

The Royal Family will enter an official Royal Mourning period for 30 days, after which the Queen will return to public life.

6. WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE MONARCHY?

The order in line for the throne remains: Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and finally, Prince Harry.

Not much will change for the monarchy or the order of succession while the Queen is alive and wearing the crown.

But we can expect the Queen to retreat considerably once her husband, who she described on their 50th wedding anniversary as her “strength and stay,” is laid to rest.

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