Who are the 30 guests likely to attend Prince Philip's funeral?

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the funeral is to adhere to current Covid-19 guidelines that stipulate just 30 mourners are allowed to attend. 

The Queen will be joined by senior members of the family including the Prince of Wales, who is expected to deliver the eulogy at his father's funeral, and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. 

Princess Anne's husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, will be there and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex will be at her husband's side. The couple had visited the Queen a day after Prince Philip died with the Countess of Wessex remarking that "the Queen has been amazing" as they left Windsor Castle. 

Prince Charles' sons Prince William, his wife the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry will also attend with the latter making the journey from his home in California.

The rest of the Duke's grandchildren Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall and her husband Mike, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn - are expected to attend too.

Lady Pamela Hicks, the Duke's first cousin may also be at the service, while Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma was a close friend of the Duke's and they were often seen carriage-riding together. 

Other members who could receive an invitation include the Queen's cousins Princess Alexandra, the Duke of Kent and his wife, the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Margaret's children the Earl of Snowdon, and Lady Sarah Chatto and the Duke's private secretary Brigadier Archie Miller-Bakewell. 

Howver, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's three children are not expected to be among the 30 mourners who attend the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, The Daily Telegraph understands.

The Cambridges have been careful to protect Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two, from the public gaze, and made clear from the outset that they would shield them from the pressures of royal life while they were young.

Following immediate family, Admiral Tony Radakin, the first sea lord and head of Royal Navy, where Prince Philip served, could also be on the guest list. 

A Downing Street spokesman said: "As a result of the coronavirus regulations, only 30 people can attend the funeral of HRH The 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."

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