Prince Philip may have spent the last few years of his life planning the details for his funeral (via The Independent), but his wife Queen Elizabeth II played a great role in executing his wishes, along with adding touches of her own – and this included the funeral wreath, cap, and sword that lay on top of his coffin as it moved from Windsor Castle to St. George’s Chapel. Hello! says the wreath, which brought together a collection of white flowers including lilies, roses, freesia, waxflower, sweet peas, and jasmine, were selected with their more than 70 years of marriage in mind.
While lilies are used at weddings and funerals, the white roses were a symbol of Prince Philip’s birth month. Sweet peas are meant to be a symbol of departure or thanks, and the wax flower is a sign of lasting love. The Telegraph meanwhile says that the military cap and sword were gifts to Prince Philip from his father.
Prince Philip did not get a state funeral
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married for 73 years, and the Prince, who is also known as the Duke of Edinburgh is being remembered for his loyalty not just to his wife the Queen, but also to the country.
Prince Philip, who his wife called her “strength and stay” did not have a state funeral, but his was a ceremonial one – NBC says the proceedings mirrored that of the funeral of the Queen Mother in 2002. As he had planned, Prince Philip’s coffin was moved from the castle to the chapel in a Land Rover that he himself designed 18 years ago. The Order of Service featured songs, readings, and prayers that he had selected.
It appeared that the prince was pragmatic about death as he was about life. During an interview with the BBC in celebration of his 90th birthday, he had said: “I reckon I’ve done my bit. It’s better to get out before you reach the sell-by date.”
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