A CLOSE female confidante of Prince Philip will be among the 30 guests attending the Duke's funeral tomorrow.

Penelope Bradbourne, 67, also known as Countess Mountbatten of Burma, became one of Philip's closest friends in later life after he decided to teach her carriage driving in the mid 1990s.

She is said to have been such such a trusted friend that in recent years she was nicknamed "And Also" by royal aides as she was invited to so many events at which Philip was due to appear, according to the Daily Mail.

Now she finds herself among the very few people allowed to attend his funeral after covid restrictions means just 30 people could attend.

Sarah Ferguson – ex wife of the Duke's second son Prince Andrew – is among those for whom there is no space, although she is said to be supporting the Queen by going for daily walks with her at the moment.

In fact Penelope Knatchbull, once known as Lady Romsey and later Lady Brabourne, is the only person in attendance who'll not be either a direct blood relation of the Duke or someone who has married a blood relation.

It is a sign of just how close Penny, as she is known to friends, and the Duke remained that she will join the Queen, Philip's four children, eight grandchildren and their spouses at tomorrow's service in Windsor.

Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog below for the latest updates…

• Claudia Aorahajust now

  QUEEN SEEN FOR FIRST TIME SINCE PHILIP'S DEATH

  The Queen has today been seen for the first time since Prince Philip's death as she heads out to walk her dogs ahead of his funeral.

  Her Majesty, 94, was pictured driving a green Jaguar out of Windsor Castle today.

  The royal appeared to be wearing a bonnet and sunglasses as she snaked out of the grounds where tomorrow's funeral will be held.

  A guard could be seen standing to attention as she headed to Frogmore Gardens – close to where Prince Harry is isolating at Frogmore Cottage – to walk to her beloved pooches.

  The corgi and dorgi – named Muick and Fergus – arrived while Philip was ill in hospital and helped cheer the royal up.

  

• Claudia Aoraha15 minutes ago

  BORIS JOHNSON'S MESSAGE

  A wreath sent by prime Minister Boris Johnson among the flowers outside St George's Chapel, at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh at the age of 99.

  

• Claudia Aoraha23 minutes ago

  WREATH SENT BY PRIME MINISTER

  A wreath from Boris Johnson has paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, saying the nation owes him "more than words can say".

  The Prime Minister's written message, laid outside St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, read: "In grateful memory of a man to whom the nation owes more than words can say.

  "Sent on behalf of the nation. From the Prime Minister".

  A wreath from Nicola Sturgeon read: "With deepest sympathy from the First Minister of Scotland and the Scottish Government."

  The Royal Navy's tribute read: "In gratitude for an exceptional life of service from all ranks of the Royal Navy.

  "Fair winds and following seas."

• Claudia Aoraha46 minutes ago

  EARL AND COUNTESS OF WESSEX IN WINDSOR

  The Earl and Countess of Wessex have viewed tributes left by the public and national leaders in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh.

  Edward and Sophie, who were joined by their daughter Lady Louise Windsor, looked over hundreds of flowers and wreaths outside St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Friday afternoon.

  Among them were wreaths bearing messages from Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon and the Royal Navy.

  The couple appeared touched by the tributes.

  Sophie, while looking over handwritten letters from children, could be heard saying "how sweet", before speaking to her husband about the amount of flowers.

  They walked around for about fifteen minutes before leaving.

• Claudia AorahaToday, 15:30

  ROYALS IN WINDSOR

  Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and her daughter Lady Louise Windsor walk out of Windsor Castle this afternoon.

  

• Claudia AorahaToday, 15:14

  NO FLIGHTS OVER WINDSOR DURING PHILIP'S FUNERAL

  The Duke of Edinburgh's funeral will not be disturbed by planes flying to or from Heathrow, the airport has announced.

  Windsor is often subjected to the noise of overhead jets as it is just six miles from the west London airport.

  But Heathrow said no arrivals or departures will fly over the area during the funeral.

  The airport is also prohibiting planes from taking off or touching down for a six-minute period coinciding with the national one-minute silence at 3pm on Saturday to mark the start of the service.

• Claudia AorahaToday, 15:00

  CROWDS WARNED TO STAY AWAY FROM WINDSOR

  Crowds are being urged to stay away from Windsor and only a small number of guests will attend the service, with even the Prime Minister stepping aside to make way for an additional family member under the tight rules on numbers.

  As it is taking place in an area where the royal family often live and worship on a routine basis, there will be a "degree of business as usual around this event", said Mr Aldworth, who also used to police the town.

  Throughout the week, police have been carrying out searches with armed and horseback patrols in the town as preparations continued.

  Thames Valley Police said this included searches of phone and post boxes, drains and bins as well as number plate checks, monitoring of CCTV and installing barriers to prevent attacks with vehicles, alongside covert tactics.

• Claudia AorahaToday, 14:41

  FUNERAL SECURITY OPERATION COULD BE ON 'SMALLER SCALE' AMID PANDEMIC

  The security operation surrounding the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral is likely to be on a "substantially smaller scale" than previous ceremonies, according to a former counter-terror chief.

  Nick Aldworth said the security operation may be "probably the easiest that we are likely to ever see for a royal funeral" as the event has been pared back amid the coronavirus pandemic.

  The former counter-terrorism national co-ordinator, who used to have responsibility for such events, said: "This will be a substantially smaller-scale operation than would have happened previously.

  "My view is that this is a fairly simple security operation and probably one conducted within mostly existing resources."

• Aliki KraterouToday, 14:18

  WHERE IS ST GEORGES CHAPLE?

  The Duke of Edinburgh will get his dying wish of a small “no-fuss” military funeral, with just 30 mourners at the Windsor service.

  St George's Chapel is situated on the grounds of Windsor Castle – where the Queen and Prince Philip live for most of the year.

  It was completed in 1511 and has been the location of many royal services, including weddings and burials.

• Aliki KraterouToday, 13:50

  QUEEN IS 'BEARING UP WELL'

  The Queen is “bearing up well” amid final preparations for Prince Philip’s funeral tomorrow. 

  The monarch is said to be “in control” just 24 hours before the service at Windsor Castle – despite the rift between Prince William and Harry and a row over the Duke of York wearing a naval uniform. 

  An insider said the monarch is “bearing up well” ahead of the service, adding: “Final preparations going on today and she is in control.”

• Claudia AorahaToday, 13:27

  BORIS JOHNSON WILL WATCH FUNERAL ON TV

  Prime Minister Boris Johnson will watch the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral on television on Saturday from his country residence Chequers, in Buckinghamshire.

  He will observe the national minute's silence, which will take place at 3pm to mark the start of the funeral, from the countryside retreat, a No 10 spokesman said.

• Claudia AorahaToday, 13:13

  'PRAY FOR & GIVE CONDOLENCES TO QUEEN' SAYS ARCHBISHOP

  The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said he hoped the nation would offer their prayers and condolences to the Queen during the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, rather than speculate on her wellbeing.

  Speaking to the BBC, he said: "We really have to avoid judging from anything external.
  
  "She is the Queen. She will behave with the extraordinary dignity and extraordinary courage that she always does.

  "And at the same time she is saying farewell to someone to whom she was married for 73 years.

  "I think that must be a very, very profound thing in anybody's life and I hope the whole nation, if they believe in that, they pray for her, and if they don't, they sympathise in their hearts, offer their condolences to her and they hope for her to find strength in what must be an anguished moment."

• Claudia AorahaToday, 13:12

  'PRAY FOR & GIVE CONDOLENCES TO QUEEN' SAYS ARCHBISHOP

  The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said he hoped the nation would offer their prayers and condolences to the Queen during the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, rather than speculate on her wellbeing.

  Speaking to the BBC, he said: "We really have to avoid judging from anything external.
  
  "She is the Queen. She will behave with the extraordinary dignity and extraordinary courage that she always does.

  "And at the same time she is saying farewell to someone to whom she was married for 73 years.

  "I think that must be a very, very profound thing in anybody's life and I hope the whole nation, if they believe in that, they pray for her, and if they don't, they sympathise in their hearts, offer their condolences to her and they hope for her to find strength in what must be an anguished moment."

• Claudia AorahaToday, 12:37

  MOURNERS AT SANDRINGHAM ESTATE

  Mourners are continuing to lay flowers in memory of Prince Philip at the Royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk today–a day before his funeral.

  Bunches of flowers have been placed by the Norwich Gates, the main entrance to Sandringham House, creating a wall of flowers.

  Children have also drawn pictures of Prince Philip, which have been left with the flowers.

  People have been told not to lay flowers or messages in public spaces or at royal residences to comply with covid restrictions limiting gatherings.

  The Union flag is still flying at half mast over the Estate as the UK continues its period of national mourning, which will end after tomorrow’s funeral.

• Claudia AorahaToday, 12:19

  BEHIND THE COFFIN

  Here is the procession behind Prince Philip's Land Rover.

  

• Claudia AorahaToday, 11:54

  PRINCESS EUGENIE WILL BE 'PEACEKEEPER' BETWEEN WILLS AND HARRY

  Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's "close bond" with Princess Eugenie sets her up as the perfect peacekeeper between Harry and William, it has been reported.

  Eugenie has long been close with her first cousin and is said to have played a key role in Harry meeting Meghan.

  Meghan confirmed during her bombshell interview with Oprah that she and Eugenie had known each other before she met Harry.

  Since then, Eugenie is said to have been a close confidante to Harry and brother William, the Evening Standard reports.

  The royal has been living with her husband Jack Brooksbank at the Sussexes’ former property Frogmore Cottage on the Queen’s Windsor estate since giving birth to her first son, August.

• John HallToday, 11:37

  THE DUKE LIVED A 'VIBRANT' LIFE SAYS REV

  Two Church of Scotland domestic chaplains to the Queen have paid tribute to Prince Philip revealing his characteristic sense of faith, duty and humour.

  The Rev Kenneth MacKenzie, minister of Crathie Kirk in Aberdeenshire, where Philip and the rest of the Royal Family worshipped while at Balmoral, said the Duke was "one of us," but showing his cheeky side "rather enjoyed it" when preachers "got it wrong".

  "By the time of his death on Friday April 9, His Late Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was well into his 100th year – but having being blessed with good health, an engaging personality, interesting people to accompany, and no shortage of interesting projects to pursue, his was a life that remained vibrant and full virtually to its end," he said.

• John HallToday, 11:35

  UNIFORM TANTRUMS ARE 'UNHELPFUL' FOR QUEEN

  Prince Harry and Andrew's "shameful tantrums" over uniform for Prince Philip's funeral are "unhelpful" for the mourning Queen, say experts.

  Royal biographer Angela Levin, says that the Queen has got "much, much more to cope with than deciding on what male family members should wear for her for her adored husband's funeral."

  Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt also shared his disappointment with the princes.

  He said it was "striking that Andrew thought he could use his father's funeral to advance his rehabilitation"

  In a series of tweets he shared his thoughts on the matter: "Adapt to survive is a mantra that has, once again, served the royals well.

  "Now, Harry won't be the loner in a suit and Andrew won't wear a uniform with extra lace. His attempts to accelerate his rehabilitation have stuttered."

• John HallToday, 11:34

  QUEEN 'UNDERSTANDS' WHY MEGHAN ISN'T COMING TO FUNERAL

  The Queen reportedly "understands" why a pregnant Meghan Markle hasn't flown to the UK with her husband Prince Harry to attend Prince Philip's funeral.

  Meghan, 39, stayed behind in the £11 million California mansion she shares with Harry, 36, and their son Archie.

  Harry arrived back in the UK this week for his grandfather Prince Philip's funeral on Saturday.

  A source told People that both Meghan and Harry "were in contact with the Queen" soon after Philip's death.

  The source said: "It was always a given that Harry would return to England for his grandfather's passing.

  "Meghan expressed condolences. The Queen understands why she can't travel at the moment."

• John HallToday, 11:32

  PHILIP'S FUNERAL WILL 'REFLECT HIS HIGH MILITARY ESTEEM'

  The head of the armed forces has said the funeral arrangements for the Duke of Edinburgh will reflect the high esteem in which he was held by the military.

  General Sir Nick Carter, the Chief of the Defence Staff, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It will reflect military precision and above all, I think, it will be a celebration of a life well-lived. It will also show, I think, how much the armed forces loved and respected him.

  "I think he will be very much remembered in the armed forces for the interest he showed in us and, of course, the good humour, wit and empathy that he always had with all of us, particularly the rank and file.

  "The military always have a great respect for people who have their values and standards and who indeed have shown great courage, and I think that, when we look back at his war record, that sense of courage and what he did is something all of us have great admiration for."

• John HallToday, 11:30

  PHILIP WAS 'VERY HANDSOME AND SO FRIENDLY'

  Mrs Salter, 81, speaking about the Duke of Edinburgh: "He was a very, very handsome man, that was true.

  "He was so, so friendly, he really took care of the girls and he really, genuinely appreciated what they had done.

  "Tower Hamlets at the time was a very poor area, and a lot of them had never even got a bus out of Tower Hamlets, so part of youth service was broadening their horizons and the Duke of Edinburgh Award was absolutely fantastic for that.

  "The impression of the royal family is of an elitist group of people, however, all I can say is there was absolutely no snobbishness about Philip.

  "He talked to the kids, he was genuinely interested and I think he was almost amazed at what the girls had achieved."

• John HallToday, 11:28

  D OF E AWARD 'CHANGED PEOPLE'S LIVES'

  A former youth worker who once accompanied a group of working-class East End teenagers to Buckingham Palace to meet the Duke of Edinburgh has praised his award programme for "changing their lives".

  Joan Salter, from north London, said Philip was "charming and not at all snobby" when he spent time with her group of six girls from Tower Hamlets, who were invited to the palace in the early 1970s in recognition of achieving their Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award.

  The programme was launched in the UK in 1956 and has resulted in millions of children taking part in after-school activities and residential weekends away.

  Mrs Salter, 81, was summoned to the palace with her group of 16 and 17-year-olds, following a week-long expedition to Wales to achieve the award's highest certification.

• John HallToday, 11:26

  PRINCE'S PICK

  Prince Philip chose the medals and decorations for the altar alongside his coffin.

  They have been sewn onto nine cushions with see-through fishing wire, together with his Royal Air Force wings and Field Marshal's baton.

  The Duke also included insignia from Denmark and Greece.

  The Order of the Elephant and Order of the Redeemer are a nod to his birth heritage as a Prince of Greece and Denmark.

  The Order of the Garter, which consists of a collar made out of 22 carat gold, is also included.

• John HallToday, 11:24

  'DIFFERENT PATHS'

  Harry has spoken in the past about how he and William are on "different paths" and have good and bad days in their relationship.

  Asked whether arrangements for the procession reflected the royal siblings' relationship, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "This is a funeral, we're not going to be drawn into those perceptions of drama, or anything like that, this is a funeral.

  "The arrangements have been agreed, and they represent Her Majesty's wishes, so we're not going to say anything more on that."

• Claudia AorahaToday, 11:23

  WILLIAM AND HARRY NOT STANDING WITH EACH OTHER SHOWS 'REALLY DEEP RIFT'

  Prince William and Harry not standing shoulder-to-shoulder at Prince Philip's funeral shows a "really deep rift", a royal expert says.

  Buckingham Palace revealed yesterday the warring brothers would be separated by their cousin Peter Phillips at the request of the Queen.

  Due to Covid social-distancing rules, this means they will end up four metres apart during the eight-minute procession on Saturday.

  And they will be separated for a second time as they head into St George's Chapel for the service – with William walking ahead.

  Royal expert Jennie Bond claims the decision to separate the pair is a "sad, lost opportunity" for their relationship to be repaired.

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