Sunday, 17 Nov 2024

Why is Windsor Castle flag not flying at half-mast for Prince Philip funeral?

Prince Philip funeral: Royal family follow coffin in procession

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The UK is officially in an eight-day period of mourning due to the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

As a result of the official mourning period, flags across the country are being flown at half-mast.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral is taking place today, April 17, following his death on Friday, April 9, aged 99.

Flags are flown at half-mast as a sign of respect for the death or funeral of a nationally revered figure.

This includes high ranking royalty and prime ministers or former prime ministers.

However, the flag at Windsor Castle is not currently being flown at half-mast, unlike other royal palaces, such as Buckingham Palace.

Why is Windsor Castle flag not flying at half-mast for Prince Philip funeral?

ITV’s Chris Ship, host of the Royal Rota podcast, explained the reason why the flag doesn’t fly at half-mast at Windsor.

He told listeners: “There is national mourning in the UK for a week.

“It means that flags on all buildings will be at half-mast.

“We should point out though that the Queen’s sovereign keeps flying at Windsor Castle.

“That’s because she remains in residence here.”

He added: “But if you go anywhere in the UK at the moment, that’s a different story.

“Every national flag, union flag, will be flying at half-mast.

“That’s until the day after the funeral – that’s national mourning.

“Royal mourning, the Queen has decided, will be two weeks.”

As well as this, according to the UK Flag Institute, the Queen’s sovereign, aka the Royal Standard, never flies at half-mast.

The Royal Standard is always on show whenever the Queen is in residence at one of her properties.

The institute explains: “It represents the Monarchy, which is continuous, and it would therefore be inappropriate for it to fly at half-mast.”

The family are gathering today for the funeral at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, in line with coronavirus legislation, which only permits 30 mourners to gather for a ceremony.

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Guests include The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; the Duke of Sussex; the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children, Lady Louse and James, Viscount Severn; The Duke of York and his children Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.

The ceremony will be socially distanced, with household bubbles together only.

The Queen will sit by herself away from the other mourners, and the family will be wearing face masks.

Coverage is live on the BBC, ITV, Sky News and Youtube.

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