# Prince Philip has died **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 9, 2021, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670 "2021-04-09T11:08:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/201 "2021-04-18T05:40:03Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > The trumpeters do it too. More noticeable with a longer instrument. Pipers as well. The pipe-major uses foot tapping and stepping forward to mark changes in the tune. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/202 "2021-04-18T05:40:54Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Say what you like about us, but we Brits do ceremonial better than anyone else in the world. Well, you do have a thousand years of practice at it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/203 "2021-04-18T05:43:22Z")
For those who watched it, what was your favourite musical piece? I’ve had the Navy Hymn running through my head all day. And the Vaughan Williams piece in the beginning. As soon as I heard it, I said to myself, “that’s Vaughan Williams”. Not as easy to carry in one’s head as the Navy Hymn, but I will track it down for my iPhone. ---
**Author:** ![APB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@APB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/204 "2021-04-18T06:18:08Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > They pointed out on CNN that when the Queen dies, her body will be entombed with the rest of her family. Then, Philip’s body will join hers. Are there already designated spots for Charles (and Camilla?), William and Kate, George, etc? The vault beneath the George VI Memorial Chapel in St George’s Chapel was built with space for six coffins. The Queen’s parents are already buried there and we now know that the Queen and Prince Philip will join them there in due course. Princess Margaret’s ashes are also buried there. So that leaves two spaces, which will presumably be used for Charles and Camilla. They then run out of space in the existing vaults beneath St George’s. One option would then be to built a new vault, although anything involving major alterations to the building would doubtless be extremely tricky. The easier option would be to construct tombs above ground in the nave, which was what was done for the Queen’s grandparents, George V and Queen Mary. Other members of the family are buried at Frogmore. They won’t run out of space there any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/205 "2021-04-18T06:38:55Z")
Interesting article about Henry VIII and other royals resting in the vault beneath St. George’s chapel: > **[The surprising place where Henry VIII is buried](https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/henry-viii-buried-where-windsor-castle-westminster-tomb/)** > > Henry VIII is one of the most famous kings of England, remembered for marrying six times and for breaking with the papacy in Rome and establishing the Church of England. A king of this magnitude surely enjoyed a regal burial and was laid to rest in a... ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/206 "2021-04-18T07:18:46Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > And the Vaughan Williams piece in the beginning. As soon as I heard it, I said to myself, “that’s Vaughan Williams”. Not as easy to carry in one’s head as the Navy Hymn, but I will track it down for my iPhone. The only Vaughan Williams piece I see mentioned is _Rhosymedre_, and I haven’t found the place in the funeral where it was played. I wonder if you’re thinking of _I Vow to Thee my Country_ by Gustav Holst, played at the start of the band music? It starts at about 1:59:45 on this video. (It looks like it can’t be embedded. Click on ‘Watch this video on YouTube’.) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL55C3pgiEo&t=7165) ---
**Author:** ![APB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@APB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/207 "2021-04-18T12:44:36Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Interesting article about Henry VIII and other royals resting in the vault beneath St. George’s chapel: There is actually some uncertainty about the exact location of that vault. That’s because there are discrepancies in the measurements taken when it was last opened in the nineteenth century. Various bits of the large tomb intended for Wolsey and then repurposed for Henry VIII do survive. I rather assumed after [the V&A acquired some of the sculptures from it in 2015](http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/w/wolsey-angels-appeal/) that at some point they would do an exhibition reconstructing it. Come to think of it, that’s just the sort of easy-to-organise crowdpleaser the V&A might need in the near future. As for musical earworms, for me it’s been ‘Nimrod’ - obvious and very familiar but always perfect for such occasions. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/208 "2021-04-18T13:11:18Z")
[Nimrod - Prince Philip’s Funeral](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilPvLCU9SE0) [I Vow to Thee, My Country - Prince Philip’s Funeral](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWIFBjG0PUA) I found _I Vow to Thee_ very moving, played as they drive the Land Rover out into position and prepare to receive to coffin. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/209 "2021-04-18T13:37:21Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > The only Vaughan Williams piece I see mentioned is _Rhosymedre_ , and I haven’t found the place in the funeral where it was played. It was played in the run-up to the actual service. Complete list of music is given in this BBC article: > **[Prince Philip's funeral: The order of service](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56783425)** > > The service, which starts at 15:00 BST with a one-minute silence, will be broadcast on BBC One. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/210 "2021-04-18T13:48:36Z")
I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me while watching the funeral but it struck me this morning: why isn’t there an exception in the British household-distancing rule for funerals (etc., but especially funerals) for vaccinated people? I live in a state (Illinois) with enforced and (generally) obeyed limits for social distancing, but people with proof of being fully vaccinated don’t count against capacity limits. The Queen has been vaccinated. If the rules in the UK had been similarly updated – for everyone, not a special dispensation – since vaccines became available, someone could have sat with her. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/211 "2021-04-18T13:56:26Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me while watching the funeral but it struck me this morning: why isn’t there an exception in the British household-distancing rule for funerals (etc., but especially funerals) for vaccinated people? Because enforcing an exemption like that would be next to impossible. It’s almost certain that some people would take liberties and how would the police check? ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/212 "2021-04-18T14:20:40Z")
I was wondering if they would have something from the Orthodox Church at the funeral. Sure enough they had the konakion for the dead. Usually the konakion and the memory eternal are the 2 parts of the service that are the most emotional. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/213 "2021-04-18T16:31:26Z")
It’s possible that the Queen actually chose to sit alone. Really, who would be sitting with her? Her kids? They were better off with their spouses. And the Queen needed to show that she was still strong and in control. And the only Vaughan Williams I recall hearing was Rhosymedre. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/214 "2021-04-18T16:59:53Z")
> why isn’t there an exception in the British household-distancing rule for funerals (etc., but especially funerals) for vaccinated people? Ask the government, but my understanding is that vaccination reduces rather than eliminates risk. Until enough of the population has had both doses, there’s still a risk, and it’s far too early to introduce more than really limited special exemptions. There’s a huge debate going on about the possibility of vaccination certificates being used for access to assorted businesses and services. It’s a sore subject. The simple practicalities of a reliable means of checking, event by event, make it difficult, as noted above. ---
**Author:** ![APB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@APB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/215 "2021-04-18T17:05:29Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me while watching the funeral but it struck me this morning: why isn’t there an exception in the British household-distancing rule for funerals (etc., but especially funerals) for vaccinated people? > > I live in a state (Illinois) with enforced and (generally) obeyed limits for social distancing, but people with proof of being fully vaccinated don’t count against capacity limits. > > The Queen has been vaccinated. If the rules in the UK had been similarly updated – for everyone, not a special dispensation – since vaccines became available, someone could have sat with her. Sadly, I’ve had to organise the funeral for a close family member during the current lockdown, so I have an initimate knowledge of the very detailed rules for funerals. As it happened, none of those attending had at that point been vaccinated, so that specific issue didn’t arise. But the rules made no distinction. That’s in line with the general policy in the UK. The British government has so far been very careful not to imply that those who have been vaccinated can behave differently. The same social distancing rules still apply to everyone. And almost everyone has accepted this. The symbolism of the Royal Family following the rules to the letter was very powerful and all the more so because, for British viewers, it didn’t really have to be explained. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2021, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/216 "2021-04-18T17:19:43Z")
I was curious to see the custom Land Rover used as the hearse, since the news stories in the days prior mentioned that he’d been involved in designing it. I thought perhaps it would be something that could be used again, perhaps when the queen passes, but probably not. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/217 "2021-04-19T07:28:32Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > She’s a commoner who married a British noble. Is the term royal reserved specifically for certain people or can it cover any of the nobility? Is “minor” in the eye of the beholder or does it have a specific meaning? I don’t know what the answer is. To me she would fit the definition of minor royal but admittedly it’s my own personal definition. The vast majority of nobility/aristocracy/people with titles are not royal - to be royal, you need to be part of the royal family, and usually carry a royal title (Royal Highness/Majesty). Diana was the daughter of an Earl, but she was officially a commoner until she married Charles. For example, most Dukes - the highest grade of the nobility - are not royal, and are addressed as ‘Your Grace’. A few Dukes are royal, because they are members of the royal family, and are addressed as ‘Your Royal Highness’. ‘Minor Royalty’ is a loose term applied to people who aren’t in the direct line of succession, or very closely related to the monarch (eg child/sibling). So Princess Eugenie - daughter of Andrew - would be a minor royal, for example. ---
**Author:** ![APB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@APB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/218 "2021-04-19T08:56:50Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I was curious to see the custom Land Rover used as the hearse, since the news stories in the days prior mentioned that he’d been involved in designing it. I thought perhaps it would be something that could be used again, perhaps when the queen passes, but probably not. The plan had been that it would be used for the journey from central London (from the Wellington Arch) to Windsor. The Queen’s funeral will presumably involve a similar journey by hearse. It would be a clever touch if they re-use the Land Rover for that. Why just use a standard hearse when you have one to hand with lots of added symbolism? ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/219 "2021-04-19T12:00:50Z")
I wondered if it has a detachable roof of some sort. A 20-mile drive in the pouring rain would play havoc with the flowers etc. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670/220 "2021-04-19T17:47:30Z")
It was certainly the Duke’s prerogative to design and request that the modified Land Rover be used as a hearse, but I personally would have preferred to see either a horse-drawn artillery caisson or a modern black hearse. More dignified. > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > For those who watched it, what was your favourite musical piece? > > I’ve had the Navy Hymn running through my head all day… I like the Navy Hymn very much, and always have. Here’s more on it: [Eternal Father, Strong to Save - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_Father,_Strong_to_Save) As you’ll see, FDR, JFK, Earl Mountbatten, Nixon, Gerald Ford, John McCain and George H.W. Bush all had it performed at their funerals, too (all but FDR served in the Navy, and FDR was a former assistant SECNAV and, of course, CINC). And you may know that Robert Heinlein wrote an additional modern verse, which appeared in his short story “Ordeal in Space” (1948): _Almighty ruler of the All_ _Whose power extends to great and small,_ _Who guides the stars with steadfast law,_ _Whose least creation fills with awe,_ _O grant thy mercy and thy grace_ _To those who venture into Space._ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-philip-has-died/939670.md?page=12)