Boris Johnson will not attend Prince Philip's funeral

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By VT

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Boris Johnson will not be attending Prince Philip's funeral on Saturday because of Covid-19 restrictions.

The prime minister opted to give up his seat to a family member as only 30 people can attend under current regulations in the UK.

A Downing Street spokesman said in a statement: "As a result of the coronavirus regulations, only 30 people can attend the funeral of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"The prime minister has throughout wanted to act in accordance with what is best for the royal household, and so to allow for as many family members as possible will not be attending the funeral on Saturday."

The Conservative Party's national campaigning for next month's local elections has also been temporarily suspended until Tuesday (April 13), and it will also be suspended again on Saturday.

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Credit: Alamy / Xinhua

Prince Philip will be laid to rest on Saturday at 3 pm, but to prevent the event from becoming a danger, the public has been encouraged to watch it on television and not pay their respects in person.

The Duke of Edinburgh's body will be carried to the West Steps of Windsor Castle in a Land Rover he designed himself, where his funeral will take place at St George's Chapel.

Sky News reports that while Prince Harry will be flying back to England for the funeral, his pregnant wife, Meghan Markle, will not be attending.

The news outlet added that Meghan did want to attend the funeral, even after her and Harry's controversial interview with Oprah about royal life, but she was advised against traveling by her doctor.

Plans for the funeral will be finalized next week and only then will a full guest list be revealed.

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Credit:: Alamy / Brian Harris

Johnson praised the Duke of Edinburgh for his "ethic of service" as he led tributes to the 99-year-old after his death on Friday.

"He was the longest-serving consort in history, one of the last surviving people in this country to have served in the Second World War at Cape Matapan, where he was mentioned in despatches for bravery," the prime minister said.

"And in the invasion of Sicily, where he saved his ship by his quick-thinking and from that conflict he took an ethic of service that he applied throughout the unprecedented changes of the post-war era.

"Like the expert carriage driver that he was, he helped to steer the Royal Family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.

"He was an environmentalist, and a champion of the natural world long before it was fashionable.

"With his Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme he shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people and at literally tens of thousands of events he fostered their hopes and encouraged their ambitions.

"We remember the duke for all of this and above all for his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen."

Featured image credit: Alamy / Justin Tallis