Prince Philip Won't Receive The Royals' Customary State Funeral Like Princess Diana: Report

Prince Philip preferred an intimate celebration of his life over the royal family's customary elaborate state funeral, according to a royal expert.

Buckingham Palace broke the news Friday that the Duke of Edinburgh passed away at age 99. In an interview, royal correspondent Omid Scobie, co-author of "Finding Freedom," spoke about Prince Philip's funeral, which the late royal reportedly had a hand in planning before his death.

"A state funeral is what Prince Philip is entitled to as the queen's consort, and it would be a day of mourning for the country but would involve heads of state from around the world being invited to congregate at Westminster Abbey to remember his life," the royal biographer told Entertainment Tonight.

"It is something that we last saw with Princess Diana's funeral, the whole world stood still for that moment. With Prince Philip, he has asked for a much more quieter event. He has asked, in his words, a simple affair and that is exactly what is happening at the ceremonial service that will take place at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle," he added.

Prince Philip's body will lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St. George's Chapel. The decision is in line with his wishes as well as royal tradition.

Scobie added that the funeral will be "carried out in military style." The Queen's husband did "not like fuss" and "made that known when it came to planning his funeral."

Prince Philip worked closely with the Lord Chamberlain's office at Buckingham Palace "to ensure that it wasn't a blown-up affair, and that means that it won't be a state funeral. Instead, it will be a royal ceremonial funeral, which will be a much more private affair."

"This will really give a chance for the royals to remember his life in a very peaceful and quiet way. It also avoids the worries that the government have over people congregating during the time of the pandemic," Scobie continued. "For Prince Philip, this is exactly what he wanted. It's a send-off that he had asked for."

Scobie added that Prince Philip's final wishes say so much about him and his character. He wanted it to be a simple affair that focused on his loved ones, friends and family, the royal expert noted.

Queen Elizabeth II, who was married to Prince Philip for 73 years, is expected to enter an eight-day mourning period during which all royal duties, as well as affairs of state, will be halted. The U.K. is expected to go into a 10-day-long mourning period, while the royal household will reportedly do so for 30 days.

Scobie earlier said that Prince Harry will likely fly back to England as soon as possible to attend his grandfather's funeral. However, the royal author noted that the duke's wife Meghan Markle is unlikely to join him as she is heavily pregnant with their second child at the moment.