Just 18 months apart – but a world of difference: Images of Charles sitting surrounded by loved-ones bring back poignant memories of the solo farewell a socially distanced Queen was forced to give Prince Philip during last year’s lockdown

• Last year hearts broke for the Queen as a poignant photo showed her sitting alone for her husband’s funeral 
• Today, in stark contrast, King Charles sat in the same seat his mother did but instead surrounded by his family 
• Around 800 people attended the committal service compared with just 30 people for the Duke of Edinburgh 
• The Queen was laid to rest at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, finally reunited with her beloved husband
• It followed a funeral service at Westminster Abbey where 2,000 people attended, including world leaders
• Two million visited London to pay their respects to Britain’s longest serving monarch who died 11 days ago 
• The Queen’s funeral: All the latest Royal Family news and coverage

It was only last year that the late Queen Elizabeth II sat alone in St George’s Chapel for the funeral of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Heartbreaking photos were shared across the world showing the elderly monarch sitting alone, wearing a mask, mourning without the comfort of her family nearby due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Today, just 18 months later, Her Majesty’s was buried at the same chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle – but unlike Prince Philip’s funeral, more than 800 people filled the room.

Poignant photos from the Queen’s committal service this afternoon showed grieving King Charles sitting in the exact same seat his bereaved mother had been sat in last year for his father’s funeral.

The late monarch had been forced to sit alone to watch the funeral service of her husband of 73-years as Covid-19 restrictions meant a limited number of people could attend indoor ceremonies.

On April 17 2021, the late Queen Elizabeth II sat alone in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, for the funeral of her husband the Duke of Edinburgh. The heartbreaking photo was shared across the world as the elderly monarch grieved Prince Philip – who she was married to for 73 years. The Queen was forced to sit alone during the funeral service due to Covid-19 restrictions

Today, just 18 months later, King Charles sat in the same spot as his late mother had for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral. In stark contrast, the King was surrounded by family for the committal service. Around 800 people attended the service this afternoon, whereas for Prince Philip’s funeral only 30 people could attend

This Queen’s committal service took place following the funeral at Westminster Abbey which saw the attendance of 2,000 people – a stark contrast to the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral where only 30 people attended.

Following the service, the Queen was then returned home to Windsor Castle where her coffin was placed in the royal crypt, bringing her 70-year reign to an end.

During a private burial service she will be reunited for eternity with her husband, father, mother and sister.

Before being laid to rest her crown, orb and sceptre were removed from her coffin so she could descend into her grave ‘as a simple Christian soul’.

Images from the ceremony today were a stark contrast to Prince Philip’s funeral, which took place on April 17 2021.

Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17 2021 at St George’s Chapel (left) compared with the Queen’s committal service this afternoon (right). Around 800 people were in attendance today compared with the 30 people who attended the Duke of Edinburgh’s service last year

The Queen stood alone during the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in April 2021. Downing Street said it had offered to ease the Covid-19 restrictions for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral but the Queen had refused saying it would not be fair to everyone else who had lost loved ones throughout the pandemic

Today, King Charles, the Queen Consort, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice were seen sitting in the exact chapel pew where the late Monarch was pictured last year

An empty St George’s Chapel in April 2021. Only 30 people attended the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, including all of the Queen’s children and grandchildren

More than 800 people gathered at St George’s Chapel today for the late Queen’s committal service. King Charles, the Queen Consort, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice were seen sitting in the exact chapel pew where the late Monarch was pictured last year

Those watching the ceremony on television were quick to point out how different the chapel looked compared with the poignant photo of the late Queen sitting isolated during the service for the Duke of Edinburgh.

Today, King Charles, the Queen Consort, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice were seen sitting in the exact chapel pew where the late Monarch was pictured last year.

One wrote: ‘Breaks my heart seeing Windsor Castle so full of people and then remembering the Queen sat alone at her husband’s funeral.’

Another added: ‘Hard to believe that Prince Philip’s funeral is mere months ago, now we’re looking at the same images, the same place.

‘It seems like such a long time ago. The Queen was so brave that day, as she so often was.’

 Those watching the ceremony on television were quick to point out how different the chapel looked compared with the poignant photo of the late Queen sitting isolated during the service for the Duke of Edinburgh

The Queen’s committal service today (right) differed greatly from Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021 where the Queen was forced to sit alone and socially distance for the funeral (left)

Prince Philip died at a point during the Covid-19 pandemic where restrictions were still in place on how many people could attend indoor events, such as funerals.

Only 30 people were allowed to attend the ceremony, instead of the 800 people expected to attend originally.

Senior members of the Royal Family were in attendance, including all of the Queen’s children and grandchildren.

Following the funeral, Downing Street said it had offered to ease the Covid-19 restrictions for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral but the Queen had refused saying it would not be fair to everyone else who had lost loved ones throughout the pandemic.

Prince Phillip’s funeral as a result was scaled back from original plans, meaning it was one of the smallest send-offs for a senior member of the Royal Family in living memory.

The poignant photo of the Queen sat alone during the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral was one of the most poignant and memorable from the pandemic. Those watching the service at St George’s Chapel today quickly remembered the image, taking to social media to make a comparison

Unlike the Queen’s funeral, there were no public elements to Prince Philip’s funeral – it took place entirely within the grounds of Windsor.

If Covid-19 restrictions were not in place when the Duke of Edinburgh died, a military procession would have been held throughout London or Windsor.

The pandemic, however, led the Royal Family to ask the public not to gather at the Castle or other royal residences.

In contrast, more than 400,000 people gathered to pay their respects to the Queen as she was lying in state in Westminster Hall – with some mourners queuing up to 24 hours to pay tribute to the late monarch.

Those watching the ceremony on television this afternoon added that it was fortunate that the Queen’s funeral was not taking place during Covid-19 restrictions, as it allowed the mourning period and planned processions to take place.

One said: ‘Seeing them inside the chapel and remembering the Queen sitting on her own for Philip’s funeral.

‘Imagine if this had happened in the pandemic or even lockdown?’

Another added: ‘April 2021 her Majesty sat alone to big farewell to her love. September 2022 the world gives our Queen the perfect farewell.’

Pall bearers from the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, carried the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into St George’s Chapel (pictured). This evening, away from the cameras and the public, a private burial service will take place where the Queen will be reunited with Prince Philip. She will also be buried alongside her father father George VI, her mother the Queen Mother and sister Princess Margaret

The Queen’s burial service will be held away from cameras and the public this evening in the King George VI Memorial Chapel of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The King and members of the royal family have gathered following the funeral and committal service that was broadcasted across the world.   

The Queen will finally be reunited with Prince Philip. When he died 17 months ago his coffin was placed in the Royal Vault of St George’s – ready to be moved to the memorial chapel when the Queen died.

The chapel, which was built as an annexe behind the North Quire Aisle of St George’s in 1969, houses the remains of the Queen’s father George VI, her mother the Queen Mother and sister Princess Margaret.

The Queen’s coffin will be interred with the Grenadier Guards’ Queen’s Company Camp Colour – a smaller version of the Royal Standard of the Regiment – which the King placed on her coffin at the end of the committal service.

The Grenadier Guards are the most senior of the Foot Guards regiments and the Queen was their Colonel in Chief.

Only one Royal Standard of the Regiment is presented during a monarch’s reign and it served as the Queen’s Company Colour throughout her time as Queen.

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