Queen Elizabeth II and Britain bid farewell to Prince Philip

The funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has been held at Windsor Castle, attended by his widow Queen Elizabeth II and children, in a ceremony restricted by Covid-19 rules that reflected on his long life of military and public service.

Queen Elizabeth II watches as pallbearers carry the coffin of Britain's Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99, during his funeral at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, Britain, April 17, 2021. REUTERS - POOL

The ceremony from behind the stately walls of Windsor Castle, west of London, will be watched by an expected television audience of millions, with the public urged to stay away because of the global pandemic.

The Duke of Edinburgh -- described by royals as "the grandfather of the nation" -- died on April 9, aged 99, just weeks after spending more than a month in hospital for treatment of a heart condition and an infection.

Britain's longest-serving royal consort was an almost constant presence at the Queen's side during her record-breaking reign that began in 1952, as Britain rebuilt from World War II and as its global empire began to unravel.

His death, after 73 years of marriage, has left a "huge void" in her life, the couple's second son, Prince Andrew, said last weekend.

At the service, the Dean of Windsor, David Conner, will pay tribute to Philip's "unwavering loyalty" to the Queen, who turns 95 next week, the country and the Commonwealth, as well as his "courage, fortitude and faith".

Government coronavirus regulations have forced hasty revisions to "Operation Forth Bridge", the long-rehearsed funeral plans for former Royal Navy commander Philip.

But the stripped-back ceremonial funeral will still feature members of the armed services he was associated with lining a short procession route through the immaculately trimmed grounds of the castle, whose history dates back 1,000 years.

His coffin will be borne to Windsor's historic St George's Chapel on a bespoke Land Rover hearse which he designed himself, repainted in military green.

A minute's silence will be observed across the country on the stroke of 3:00 pm (1400 GMT) before the funeral service begins.

The Queen will lead just 30 mourners, as they pay their respects to the man she once called her "strength and stay", and whose death closes a remarkable chapter for Britain's most famous family and the country's recent history.

The congregation will mostly be close family, including the couple's four children: heir to the throne Prince Charles, 72, Princess Anne, 70, Prince Andrew, 61, and Prince Edward, 57.

Also present will be Charles' eldest son William, 38, who will be joined by younger brother, Harry, 36, after he jetted back last weekend from the United States, where he now lives.

All eyes will be on the brothers -- whose mother was Charles' first wife, princess Diana -- after a reported falling out over Harry's move to California with his American wife, Meghan, and their stinging criticisms of the royals.

Meghan, heavily pregnant with her second child, was advised not to travel on medical grounds.

The brothers, who as young boys walked behind their mother's coffin at her funeral in 1997, will follow the procession on foot, but not side-by-side.

Between them will be their cousin, Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips, 43, which will likely fuel further rumours of the rift, even if it reflects royal protocol