The Duke Of Edinburgh's death and funeral

On the 9th April 2021 just after 12pm it was announced that Prince Philip has died peacefully at Windsor Castle at the age of 99. 

News channels around the world broke the news starting with BBC news. In my area BBC Points West covered the duke of Edinburgh's death, the program covers Gloucestershire where they based one of the reports around because in Tetbury is where Prince Charles and Camilla lives they reported on how he left Highgrove house to go to Windsor to be with the grieving queen. His death will always merge with happiness for Charles and Camilla as he died on their wedding anniversary. 

In the coming days the dukes four children spoke out about his death. The first one to speak out was the dukes eldest son and the heir to the throne The Prince Of Wales on 10th April who came out from his residence at Highgrove. It was a very touching statement as he addressed the duke as 'My dear Papa was a very special person.' 

The next day his other children spoke out it comes after Charles's statement. Princess Anne gave a written tribute to her father where as Princes Andrew and Edward spoke out following a church service in Windsor on the 11th April. 

Preparations for the funeral were underway and people were wondering whether Prince Harry was coming into the UK for the funeral. It was announced nearer the time that he will be going to the funeral on his own as Meghan was heavily pregnant with their second child on doctors orders. 

On the 16th April Charles and Camilla made a emotional public appearance together since the Duke Of Edinburgh. They went to Marlbrorogh gardens to view the various floral tributes for the duke, they seemed tearful as they looked at the sea of artwork and flower tributes. There were heartbreaking images of Prince Charles tearfully looking up to the sky during the visit. There was also a mini land rover the dukes favorite type of car that Camilla rocked gently.  

On the 17th April was the dukes funeral and for me there were a number of touching things during the emotional service. I would like to point out that the duke planned his own funeral for years and he didn't want any fuss about it. 

• Sitting alone- Due to the Covid restrictions we seen a restricted funeral with only 30 guests attending. Which meant that there was social distancing in place between the family. The most heartbreaking image of the whole funeral was the Queen sitting on her own at her husbands funeral, and due to the restrictions you could only sit in your household bubbles. With the Queen it was Prince Philip who was in her bubble. No other family member could sit next to her as they were in their own household bubbles. 
• A future kings tears- The other heartbreaking image at the funeral was a picture of his eldest son and heir with tears running down his face during the funeral procession. A body language expert picked up on this saying that he was 'isolated in his own grief.' 
• A wife supporting husband- Staying with the Prince Of Wales in the funeral was the subtle support that his wife Camilla showed him during the service. Once Charles was in the chapel and took his seat next to Camilla she shuffled closer to him while he cried. There was also a moment at the end when they left the funeral. Charles decided to ditch the cars last minute and walked back to the castle, we seen him and Camilla make a swift exit from the chapel. Camilla noticeably placed her hand on his back as he had his handkerchief out, she also appeared to hold his mask and order of service to help him out. 
• Kate the peacemaker- The Duchess Of Cambridge was seen as peacemaker between Princes Harry and William. The rift between the two brothers worsened after the Oprah interview and everyone wanted to see if they would talk to each other as Harry wouldn't talk to his father, uncles and aunt. As they left the funeral on foot we caught The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make small talk with Harry. Once Catherine got them talking she held back to walk and talk with the Countess Of Wessex who is William and Harry's auntie through marriage to their uncle Prince Edward, 

About 2 weeks after the funeral Prince Harry returned to the US and started interviews. He ended up on the armchair expert with Dax Shepard. Harry made some accusations that could hurt his family to the core, he was criticising the parenting of his father Prince Charles saying that he was brought up with pain and suffering calling it genetic pain. He also said that growing up in the royal family is like being in the Truman show and being in a zoo. So he said this about his father when he buried his own father two weeks before the interview, which must of been really really heartbreaking to him and the queen.