Why Queen Elizabeth sat alone at Prince Philip’s funeral
Royal family followed stringent coronavirus protocols for the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral at St. George’s Chapel
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Queen Elizabeth II was seated alone as she bereaved the death of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, during his funeral on Saturday.
The Duke of Edinburgh was laid to rest at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, and given the stringent coronavirus protocols, the queen was seated by herself during the intimate family event.
Protocols required all guests who were not members of the same household to sit about six feet apart.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Furthermore, social distancing guidelines limited the gathering to just 30 people. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told People magazine on Thursday that regardless of the public event Philip’s funeral is likely to be, they "are dealing with a family funeral and at its heart it is still a family event," the spokesperson said.
QUEEN ELIZABETH MAKES FIRST PUBLIC SOLO STATEMENT SINCE PRINCE PHILIP'S DEATH
The longtime monarch traveled to St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in a State Bentley.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Queen Elizabeth II was seated alone as she bereaved the death of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, right, at his funeral on Saturday. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
The Queen was joined by the four children she shared with Prince Philip – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – as well as Charles's wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Anne's husband Timothy Laurence and Edward's wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
Prince Harry, 36, did not walk alongside his brother Prince William, 38, at the funeral. As they walked behind their grandfather’s casket, they were separated by their cousin and son of Princess Anne – Peter Philips.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Friday, the queen released her first public solo statement since the death of her husband.
Her Majesty sent a statement of support to the people of the Commonwealth country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines after they experienced a series of volcanic eruptions.
A floral tribute design to Prince Philip, which doesn't contain any floral foam, to be good for the environment and minimize plastic waste, by floral designer Lisa Darban is displayed to be photographed before being removed to be placed in an officially sanctioned location elsewhere in the town, in front of tributes outside Windsor Castle. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I have been saddened by the destruction and major disruption caused by volcanic eruptions in recent days, and my thoughts are with the many people and families who have been evacuated from their homes, and whose livelihoods have been affected," the queen said in her statement obtained by Fox News. "I send my thanks to the emergency services and all those involved in the relief effort."
"My prayers will remain with the people of S.t Vincent and the Grenadines at this very difficult time," she added.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment.
Fox News' Jessica Napoli contributed to this report.