It’s the royal death that has rocked the world.
On Friday April 9, the palace confirmed that one of the Royal Family’s most prolific members, Prince Philip, had passed away, age 99.
And now, as the Royal Family prepare to say farewell to the Duke of Edinburgh with a small, COVID safe funeral at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel in England this weekend, many royal fans are wondering if they’ll be able to tune in from home to watch the historical event.
How to watch Prince Philip’s funeral in Australia?
Prince Philip may not have wanted a large state funeral but the small and intimate ceremonial funeral will still be broadcast around the world.
The funeral will take place on Saturday, April 17 at 3pm in the UK (which is 12am midnight April 18 in Australia).
Members of the British public have been urged to stay at home as the country is still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they will be able to watch the live broadcast on the BBC.
In Australia, several free-to-air channels will also show the funeral, live as it happens.
Channel Nine: 9News have confirmed they will broadcast the funeral live in a TV special called The Funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The ABC: The ABC will air the funeral.
Channel 10: Channel 10 will broadcast the funeral and repeat it on Sunday morning.
Prince Philip’s funeral will be broadcast around the world this weekend.
(Image: Getty)What will Prince Philip’s funeral look like?
As per the late Prince Philip’s wishes, he didn’t want “much fuss” for his funeral.
Between now and Saturday, Philip’s body will be laid at Windsor Castle in a coffin covered with flowers, though it will not be viewable to the public in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The body will lay there until his funeral at St George’s Chapel.
Members of the royal family, including Prince Harry who has just landed back in the UK from LA, Prince William, Prince Charles and The Queen, will attend the funeral, but members of the public are being urged to refrain from coming to the location themselves to catch a glimpse of the proceedings.
On the 17th, Philip’s coffin will be “moved by a Bearer Party found by The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. Positioned in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle will be representative detachments drawn from His Royal Highness’s military special relationships,” according to the Palace statement.
The casket will then be built in a purpose-built Land Rover, which the Prince himself had a hand in the design of.
“Members of the Royal Family and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Household will walk behind the coffin from the Quadrangle, down Chapel Hill and into Horseshoe Cloister,” the Palace continued.
Atop the coffin will sit The Duke of Edinburgh’s Naval Cap and Sword ahead of the service.
In the days following Philip’s death, the UK’s affairs of state are currently on hold as a mark of respect, while an official 30 day period of mourning is underway for members of each royal household – guardsmen are already wearing black armbands.
Forgoing a state funeral, the Duke will be given an intimate ceremonial funeral, with just 30 family members present.
(Image: Getty)Who will speak at Prince Philip’s funeral?
While the official order of service is yet to be released, Prince Charles, Prince Philip’s oldest child and future King, is tipped to be the family member delivering his father’s eulogy.
The Prince Of Wales was the first family member to speak publicly of his father’s death over the weekend, paying a heartfelt tribute to the 99-year-old’s lasting legacy.
“My dear Papa was a very special person who I think, above all else, would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him,” the 72-year-old explained from outside his home in Highgrove on Saturday April 10, the day after The Duke Of Edinburgh’s death.
“As you can imagine, my family and I miss my father enormously. He was a much loved and appreciated figure and apart from anything else, I can imagine, he would be so deeply touched by the number of other people here and elsewhere around the world and the Commonwealth, who also I think, share our loss and our sorrow,” Charles said.
Prince Charles finished his address by saying his father would have been moved by the outpouring of love and support in the aftermath of his death.
“It will sustain us in this particular loss and at this particularly sad time. Thank you.”
For more information on Prince Philip’s death and his colourful life, check out the stories below
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has died aged 99
Prince Philip’s funeral plans are underway – here’s what we know so far
A gun-salute and an online book of condolence: Australia reacts to the death of Prince Philip
Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip shared a beautiful love story
The royals gather together for a quiet service in honour of their beloved father and grandfather
The Duke of Hazard! A look back at Prince Philip’s naughtiest gaffes from over the years
