Why Princes William, Harry Won't Walk Next To Each Other At Philip's Funeral – Report

Prince Harry and Prince William's arrangement at Prince Philip's funeral has nothing to do with their alleged strained relationship but rather is required by royal protocol, a report says.

Buckingham Palace released Thursday details of the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle Saturday, including the attendees and procession order. While the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex will join the rest of their family in walking behind their grandfather's coffin, their cousin and the son of Princess Anne, Peter Phillips, is set to walk between them.

But the brothers not walking side-by-side during the funeral is down to royal protocol rather than rumored drama despite the speculation, Hello magazine reported.

Protocol dictates that the eldest royal stands in the middle, followed by the next eldest to his or her right and the youngest to the left, according to the outlet. Philips is Queen Elizabeth II's first-born grandchild, so he is taking a prominent central position in the funeral procession, with Prince William to his right and Prince Harry to his left.

The brothers will walk in the same row with their cousin behind Prince Edward and Prince Andrew and ahead of Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Earl of Snowdon.

Joining them in the processional party are Prince Charles, Princess Anne, a personal protection officer, a private secretary, two pages and two valets.

There has been much speculation as to why Prince William and Prince Harry aren't walking next to each other, especially with reports claiming the brothers' relationship was further strained by the Duke of Sussex and wife Meghan Markle's March tell-all with Oprah Winfrey. However, palace officials made it clear that the funeral procession order has nothing to do with the current tensions within the family.

"This is a funeral and we are not going to be drawn into perceptions of drama," read a statement from Buckingham Palace obtained by E! News. "The arrangements have been agreed and represent Her Majesty's wishes."

The procession will start at the state entrance of Windsor Castle and end at St. George's Chapel, where the funeral service will take place at 3 p.m. starting with a national minute of silence. The service will be closed to the public in accordance with pandemic guidelines but will be broadcast on BBC One.

"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 ask 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," Buckingham Palace earlier announced.