After living an extraordinary life of 99 years, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband to Queen Elizabeth II, passed away over the weekend.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the heartbreaking news on April 9.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
His loss has left many scratching their heads as to what happens next with the royal family. In the short term, for the next eight days, the staff at Buckingham Palace will formally observe his death. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II will enter her own mourning period, taking a step back from work and formal duties. Additionally, state affairs will come to a halt out of respect for the late British royal.
Military establishments and prominent locations, like Downing Street in the City of Westminster, will honour the Duke of Edinburgh by flying all official flags on the day of the funeral – set for April 17. Buckingham Palace’s Royal Standard Flag however will not be lowered as a symbol of the monarchy’s continued progression. After thirty days of mourning Prince Philip’s passing, Queen Elizabeth II will be back to her various official Royal engagements, although it has not been revealed as to how much of it the Queen will continue carrying.
And while the Duke had indicated that he’d wished for a smaller funeral, amendments were made to the plan to bring his service in line with COVID-19 regulations, including quarantine for grandson Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex upon his return from the United States.
As for Prince Philip’s title – ‘His Royal Highness, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich’ — the College of Arms notes:
“These peerages are hereditary and on the death of His Royal Highness have passed to his eldest son, HRH The Prince of Wales. In the event of the Prince of Wales or any subsequent holder of these titles succeeding to the Crown, these titles and all others held will merge with the Crown.”
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