Buckingham Palace have announced details of a Service of Thanksgiving to commentate the life of the late Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Philip passed away aged 99 at Windsor Castle in April 2021. His funeral took place at St George’s Chapel, in a scaled back pandemic service.
The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General’s Parade as his final individual public engagement, at Buckingham Palace in 2017.
Full details are as follows:
“Members of the Royal Family will attend a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday 29th March.
“The Service will give thanks for The Duke of Edinburgh’s dedication to family, Nation and Commonwealth and recognise the importance of this legacy in creating opportunities for young people, promoting environment stewardship and conservation, and supporting the Armed Forces.
“The Service will in particular pay tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh’s contribution to public life and steadfast support for the over 700 charitable organisations with which His Royal Highness was associated throughout his life.
The Queen looks towards Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin during his funeral service
“Alongside the Royal Family, Members of Foreign Royal Families and The Duke of Edinburgh’s wider family and friends, the congregation will include over 500 representations of The Duke of Edinburgh’s patronages and charities, reflecting the breadth of causes and charitable interests championed by His Royal Highness, and as a tribute to those who continue his work.
“Other guests at the service will include representations from UK Government, the Armed Forces and the Devolved Administrations, Realm High Commissioners, representatives of Overseas Territories, representatives from The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Household, representatives from The Duke’s Regimental Affiliations in the UK and the Commonwealth, as well as the clergy and other faiths.
Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh driving a carriage on the second day of Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2019
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, founded by His Royal Highness in 1956, will feature prominently in the Service, with a Tribute to be given by a Gold Award Holder.
“In recognition of The Duke of Edinburgh’s long-held relationship with the Armed Forces, the Band of the Royal Marines will provide music before and after the Service. The Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal Choirs will provide music during the Service.”
The Queen and Prince Philip read a card from Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. (Chris Jackson/Getty/Buckingham Palace)
It is not expected for Prince Harry to attend the service, due to his concerns over security and battle with the Home Office with regards to intelligence sharing for his safety. We are due to see numerous Royals from across Europe join the congregation, including King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, Princess Beatrix, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway, and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.
His three German relatives who also attended the funeral – Bernhard, Hereditary Prince of Baden; Donatus, Prince and Landgrave of Hesse; and Philipp, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg – are also anticipated to be in attendance.
Prince Philip was related to multiple Royal Families across Europe, through his lineage to Queen Victoria (his great-great grandmother).
