Prince Philip funeral: Royal family follow coffin in procession

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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Charles joined other members of the Royal Family to say their last goodbyes to Prince Philip today who died at the age of 99 on April 9. The couple sat socially distant from their family members in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

30 guests attended Prince Philip’s funeral today due to Covid restrictions which included family and close friends. 

Among the guests were Camilla and Prince Charles who walked as part of the procession next to sister Princess Anne. 

After the funeral had finished, Royal Family members departed St George’s Chapel before reuniting with one another outside. 

As they exited, Prince Charles appeared tearful and reached for his handkerchief. 

Speaking to Express.co.uk, body language expert Judi James explained that Prince Charles’ tears appeared to “flow throughout the service”.

She said: “After a lifetime spent masking his emotions in public Prince Charles appeared overcome by grief and his tears appeared to flow throughout the service. 

“Camilla was seen using the same comforting hand-pat that she often used to use in the early days after their relationship went public, showing the same supportive and almost maternal traits that seemed to bind them as a couple before their marriage.”

Many of the Royal Family members hid their emotions behind their face coverings that they had to wear inside the chapel.

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However many face masks were removed after the family exited the chapel. 

Judi added: “The royals all seem to have highlighted one aspect of their father’s role in their lives in their tributes and that was as a man they each felt they could turn to in times of trouble. 

“This has never seemed to be a role that Charles would slip into naturally now his father had gone and he must feel he has lost the kind of wise and helpful presence he might need to help his mother take the Firm through any looming problems in the years to come. 

“It was the Queen who looked solitary and isolated during the service but I wonder if Charles’s tears might have been a sign that he is now feeling the same without his father to guide him.”

In-line with royal protocol, Camilla wore an all-black outfit with a sweet nod to Prince Philip.

The Duchess of Cornwall wore a brooch with a sentimental meaning and it related to her position as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles.

The role was transferred to her last year after previously being held by the Duke of Edinburgh. 

It is in the shape of an anchor and is covered in diamonds with a crown on the top and three small emeralds. 

She wore it pinned to the front of her black coat. 

Camilla was joined by guests including Kate Middleton and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

Walking side-by-side out of St George’s Chapel, the Countess could be seen placing her hand on Kate’s back as she wiped away her tears. 

The expert explained: “After an understandably sombre body language display during their arrival at the chapel, the Royal Family suddenly showed their more openly emotional side after the service was over.

 “Sophie has shown herself to be a very strongly supportive and almost maternal presence in the family recently.

“And the way she pulled off her mask to walk up closer to the Queen who turned to look round on her way into the chapel suggested a very empathetic and caring approach.

“She was also seen touching Kate on the back in a gesture of support and William echoed this as his arm went out to touch his wife on the back in an affectionate gesture after the service.”

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