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Royals will not wear military uniform at Prince Philip's funeral

They will instead wear suits

Deputy Online Editor
April 15, 2021

With only days to go until the Duke of Edinburgh's ceremonial royal funeral takes place, all eyes will be on his family.

And it's now been revealed that the royals will not wear military uniform as expected. It is understood the Queen has decided that senior royals attending the service should be in civilian clothing.

MORE: The special meaning behind Prince Harry's tribute to 'Grandpa' Prince Philip

WATCH: Prince Philip's best family moments

The move means that Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will no longer be the only close family members who are not wearing a military uniform.

MORE: Princess Anne to dress differently to other royal ladies at funeral

SEE: 14 heartwarming photos of Prince Philip as a doting grandfather

Protocol dictates that they are not entitled to wear their uniforms as a result of their decisions to step back from royal duties.

Prince Harry would have had to wear a suit instead of his military uniform since he handed back his honorary military appointments earlier this year. It's thought that he will wear the suit with his medals that he was awarded during his time as Captain in the Army.

In November, Harry, 36, wore his medals pinned to his lapel when he privately visited the Los Angeles National Cemetery in honour of Remembrance Day with the Duchess of Sussex.

Prince Andrew and Prince Harry have stepped back from public life

Meanwhile, Prince Andrew, 61, stepped back from public life in November 2019 following scrutiny over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. He was made an honorary Vice-Admiral in the Royal Navy on his 55th birthday in 2015 and had been due to be promoted to Admiral on his 60th birthday.

READ: Royals to wear mourning bands on public engagements in honour of Prince Philip

MORE: The Queen's one surprising trait that 'irked' Prince Philip

Elsewhere, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal were all expected to attend the funeral in military uniform.

It is custom only for members of the royal family who hold a military rank to wear military dress at state occasions, and this has been in place since the 19th century. Other members of the royal family wear standard mourning clothes at funerals.

The Duke of Edinburgh passed away at the age of 99 on Friday

Prince Philip passed away at the age of 99 at Windsor Castle on Friday 9 April. He and the Queen were married for over 73 years and shared four children, eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Only 30 royals are expected to attend the funeral on Saturday due to the current COVID-19 restrictions.

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