Pallbearer collapses in hot sun outside St George’s chapel at Prince Philip’s funeral
A PALLBEARER dramatically collapsed while standing in the sun outside St George’s chapel during Prince Philip’s funeral.
Temperatures rocketed as high as 13C today while the Queen and members of the close royal family mourned the Duke of Edinburgh under blue skies in Windsor.
Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates
A pallbearer dramatically collapsed while standing in the sun outside St George’s chapel[/caption] His face appeared grey and sweaty as his cap tumbled off his head to the ground[/caption] The pallbearers at Prince Philip’s funeral are members of the military, specially selected from the Duke’s long career with armed services[/caption]The man fell backwards to the ground while holding his military rifle while the family entered the chapel.
His face appeared grey and sweaty as his cap tumbled off his head to the ground.
A pallbearer is someone who is selected by a close family member of the deceased to help carry the casket to the burial site at a funeral.
The pallbearers at Prince Philip’s funeral are members of the military, specially selected from the Duke’s long career with armed services.
They make up the bearer party – and were in charge of lifting His Royal Highness’ coffin from the Land Rover.
They then carried the coffin up to the West Steps ahead of the service.
The man fell backwards to the ground while holding his military rifle while the family entered the chapel[/caption] The pallbearers at Prince Philip’s funeral are members of the military, specially selected from the Duke’s long career with armed services[/caption]It is very fitting that members of the Marines were the pallbearers – as Prince Philip had such a close connection to them during his dazzling career.
Leaving school at 17, the Duke joined the Royal Navy as a cadet, arriving at the Britannia Royal Naval College and graduating as a top cadet.
And Prince Philip served as the Captain-General of the Royal Marines for over 64 years.
He took up his position, granted by Queen Elizabeth, in June 1953.
And the title was then handed to Prince Harry in December 2017.
Due to Covid restrictions the Queen was forced to sit alone inside Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel as she lead the Royal Family in mourning at the funeral of her beloved husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
It comes as…
- A sombre Queen sat alone on the “saddest and most difficult day” as she bid farewell to husband prince Philip
- Prince Harry and William shared a private chat as they left the funeral
- The brothers sat facing each other during the service at St George’s Chapel
- Meghan Markle left a handwritten note to Prince Philip
- The Duchess of Sussex watched the funeral from the US after not being able to fly to the UK for the service
- Prince Charles fought back tears at the emotional funeral
- Kate Middleton gave a touching nod to Diana and the Queen by wearing a pearl choker
- The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault
Dressed in a face mask and in sombre black, it was the first time the monarch, grieving for her devoted companion of 73 years, has been officially seen in public since Philip died eight days ago.
And the Duke’s coffin was lowered into the Royal vault at St George’s Chapel – and was broadcast live for the first time in history.
Accompanied by her loyal lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey, the Queen made her way from the Sovereign’s Entrance in the State Bentley, as the national anthem was played, to join the solemn funeral procession.
Philip’s coffin, draped in his striking 12ft personal standard and decorated with a wreath of flowers specially chosen by the monarch, and his Admiral of the Fleet Naval Cap and sword, was carried into St George’s Chapel.
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It had been lifted into place by Grenadier Guardsmen onto the rear of the dark bronze green Land Rover Defender hearse the duke designed himself.
The Duke’s association with the Royal Navy and love of the sea was a focus of the service – but in line with his wishes there was no sermon.
More than 730 members of the armed forces took part in the event, but there is a limit of 30 mourners at St George’s Chapel, under Covid rules.