The Duchess of Edinburgh arrived at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent alone on Tuesday afternoon as Prince Edward is currently out of the UK. The Duke is in Papua New Guinea carrying out an important solo tour before he travels on to Japan where he will be joined by the Duchess.
While in the country, Prince Edward will attend a dawn flag-raising ceremony and a State Dinner, to mark the occasion. Then, on behalf of the King, he will present new Regimental Colours to the First Royal Pacific Islands Regiment and also hand out the 50th Independence Anniversary King’s Medals which are given to those who have made significant contributions to the country.
Prince Edward is, however, not the only royal missing from the Duchess’ funeral.
As well as the Duke of Edinburgh being missing from the funeral, Queen Camilla has been forced to cancel her attendance.
In a statement confirming that the Queen is currently recovering from acute sinusitis, Buckingham Palace said: “With great regret, Her Majesty The Queen has withdrawn from attendance at this afternoon’s Requiem Mass for The Duchess of Kent as she is recovering from acute sinusitis. Her thoughts and prayers will be with The Duke of Kent and all the family.”
Her illness has raised questions about whether she will be able to attend all elements of tomorrow’s State Visit.
After the Duchess’ funeral service, the coffin will be taken by hearse to the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor – the Duchess’ final resting place.
The Royal Burial Ground has been a resting place for members of the Royal Family since the consecration of the ground in 1928, and is a short distance from Windsor Castle.
As it is a private cemetery, which is just south of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s Mausoleum, family members of the Duchess will be able to visit her resting place in peace.