“YOU’RE better off watching it at home” – that’s the message from the council’s head of communities to well-wishers ahead of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
The service for Prince Philip, who passed away last Friday, will be taking place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on Saturday at 3pm.
Only 30 guests will be attending instead of the estimated 800 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Leading up to the funeral, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) have warned well-wishers to stay home and not to visit Windsor to pay their respects in person.
An online book of condolences was set up for people to pay their respects to the Duke instead of visiting the Castle.
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David Scott, head of communities at RBWM, said the ‘best place’ to be to witness the full funeral is at home as the service will be taking place at St George’s Chapel, which will be blocked off to the public.
He said: “All activities are in the castle, therefore, there won’t be anything for the public to see.
“We have been repeating the government messaging of please don’t visit the Royal residences.
“The numbers of the town are actually much lower than they might normally be for this time of year and we’ve been monitoring and tracking that.
“In fact, yesterday the rehearsal, which could’ve had an increased footfall because people are aware of these rehearsals, was a quiet day.
“We are continuing to make that message clear that the only way to see something will be to stay at home because there isn’t anything to see in the town.”
He added plans are “in place” with agencies if individuals are found near the Castle.
Some Windsor town centre businesses have said they expect to be “very busy” on the day of Philip’s funeral, with the council ordering not for any tables to be put outside.
Mr Scott said if businesses are busy that day, he hopes people observe the national guidance and social distancing in order to keep RBWM’s ‘declining’ infection rate as low as possible.
Due to Covid-19, public events were not given the go-ahead to celebrate Prince Philip’s life and accomplishments.
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Mr Scott said the council has no plans yet to hold a public event later in the year when lockdown is lifted in its entirety.
He said: “I’m sure there will be an event later in the year to celebrate His Royal Highness’ association with the town and the borough.
“He was very well-loved by many residents and was a well-known character in terms of you would see him out and about in his horse and carriage driving days in the Great Park.
“We would like his lifetime association with the town to be recognised.”
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