The Duke of Edinburgh was closely involved in the planning of his own Funeral. As a result, it will involve a number of unique touches which reflect his life and work.
Many of the moments choreographed by The Duke demonstrate his lifelong commitment to the Armed Forces.
His Royal Highness’s coffin will be carried by both the Grenadier Guards and the Royal Marines during tomorrow’s ceremony.
The Duke’s association with the Royal Marines lasted for his entire Royal working life. He was made Captain General in 1953, and his final official engagement ahead of his retirement was a Royal Marines parade at Buckingham Palace.
The Duke became the Colonel of the Grenadier Guards in 1975 and visited the battalion many times in the UK and on operations overseas.
At ceremonial events such as Trooping of the Colour, The Duke wore the uniform of the Grenadier Guards.
The Queen’s Royal Hussars also have a ceremonial role. The regiment’s tribute to their former Colonel-in-Chief last week remembered him as:
‘Tough, tested in war, direct but with an acute sense of humour, he had a piercing interest in the Regiment, its people and activities.’
His Royal Highness helped design the Land Rover which will carry his coffin.
The vehicle will be driven by soldiers from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers of which The Duke was Colonel-in-Chief.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s two fell ponies - Balmoral Nevis and Notlaw Storm – will pull a carriage designed by The Duke of Edinburgh.
At the age of 50 The Duke of Edinburgh took up carriage driving and competed in events until 2003.
The Duke of Edinburgh's insignia represent HRH’s status in a variety of countries and institutions.
They include his Field Marshal's baton and Royal Air Force Wings, together with decorations from orders of chivalry in the UK, Denmark and Greece.
The insignia will be laid at the altar in St George’s Chapel for the Funeral Service.
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Today The Princess Royal visited the @RVYCIOW and the @royal_squadron on the Isle of Wight. Her father The Duke of Edinburgh was Admiral and later Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron.
During the visit, Her Royal Highness spoke fondly of learning to sail with her father, and later attending sailing events with him.
📸 The Princess Royal with The Duke of Edinburgh at Cowes Week in 1970.
The Duke of Edinburgh was a keen sailor. From 1956 to 1970 and then again from 1975 to 1980, he served as President of the @RYA.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, district nurses have been instrumental in helping those in need at home.
🌡 Over recent weeks, nurses have been redeployed from their normal roles to work in the community.
@TheQNI has set-up an online Coronavirus Information Centre to help this transition, with “rapid training plans” for those who are working in home settings for the first time.
The Queen succeeded Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother as Patron of @TheQNI in 2002. In 2019, @TheQNI was recognised as the oldest nursing charity in the world.
The Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Award is still given to community nurses who provide exceptional care.