ENGLAND-Saturday 10, April 2021: Buckingham Palace officials have announced that Prince Philip’s funeral will take place on April 17 at Windsor Castle in a family service that will be closed to the public.

Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on Friday, but the COVID pandemic has complicated well-prepared arrangements for his funeral.

 A palace spokesman on Saturday said “Although the ceremonial arrangements are reduced, the occasion will still celebrate and recognise the duke’s life and his more than 70 years of service to the Queen, the UK and the Commonwealth.”

Palace officials added that the ceremony would be conducted strictly in line with government guidelines. However, it was not disclosed if the royal family would be required to wear masks.

Funerals are currently restricted to 30 people or fewer under England’s coronavirus rules.

The palace said Prince Philip took part in planning his funeral and the focus on family was in accordance with his wishes. He helped to design the modified Land Rover that will carry his coffin.

Prince Harry, who stepped away from royal duties last year and now lives in California, will attend the service along with other members of the royal family.

Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who is pregnant, has been advised by her doctor not to attend.

The palace appealed to the public not to gather in Windsor, and for those who wished to pay their respects to Philips to stay at home instead.

“While there is sadness that the public will not be able to physically be part of events to commemorate the life of the duke, the royal family asks that anyone wishing to express their condolences do so in the safest way possible and not by visiting Windsor or any other royal palaces to pay their respects,';'; the palace spokesman said.

“The family’s wish is very much that people continue to follow the guidelines to keep themselves and others safe.';';

Gun salutes were held across the UK on Saturday to honour the Queen';s husband a day after he passed away at the age of 99.

The Duke of Edinburgh';s death was marked with 41-gun salutes at noon at locations across the country, including the Tower of London and Edinburgh Castle, as well as in Gibraltar and on Royal Navy ships at sea.