Not too long ago, fans of the royal family around the world were worried about Prince Philip after Buckingham Palace announced he had hip surgery. The Duke of Edinburgh missed several public events alongside his wife, Queen Elizabeth, which naturally sparked concerns. At 96 years old, any hospital stay or surgery is a big deal. It's not the easiest subject to talk about, but it's one we all have to face eventually. Over at Now to Love, the team took a closer look at what will happen when Prince Philip passes away.

Breaking the News

When Prince Philip eventually passes, it’s expected that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) will be the first to confirm the news. Of course, the royal family will also make an official announcement through their social media channels. If his death happens overnight, the announcement is likely to come at 8 a.m. London time the next morning. That gives everyone a chance to wake up and process the news.

The Official Period of Mourning

Following Prince Philip's death, an official eight-day mourning period will be observed by all palace staff. During this time, flags across the United Kingdom—especially at major institutions and military establishments—will be flown at half-mast. Given Prince Philip's strong ties with the Royal Navy, you can expect naval flags to be lowered as well. Interestingly, the Royal Standard flag at Buckingham Palace, which is raised when the Queen is in residence, will not be lowered to half-mast. This has been the tradition for centuries.

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However, there was an exception after Princess Diana's tragic death. The public outcry over the Buckingham Palace flags was so intense that the Queen broke with royal protocol and flew the Union Jack Flag at half-mast from the royal residence for the first time ever. Since then, the Union Jack Flag is flown at half-mast for all members of the royal family who pass away.

Princess Diana’s royal funeral.

Prince Philip’s Funeral Plans

Prince Philip is entitled to a state funeral, but according to reports, that’s not what he wants. The Duke’s closest aides have mentioned that he would prefer not to have the "fuss" of a lying-in-state or a full state funeral. Instead of Westminster Abbey, Prince Philip's body is expected to lie at St James’s Palace, where Princess Diana’s body lay for several days before her funeral. This choice reflects his desire for a simpler, less grandiose ceremony.

In line with his wish for a no-frills farewell, Prince Philip will presumably be laid to rest in Frogmore Gardens, on the grounds of Windsor Castle. This means he might not be buried with his wife, as many of Britain’s monarchs and consorts are laid to rest in Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel. However, since both of the Queen’s parents and younger sister are buried at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the Queen could break with tradition and be buried alongside her loved ones there.

prince philip queen elizabeth getty images

Philip and the Queen.

Queen Elizabeth’s Mourning Period

If Prince Philip passes away before the Queen, she will be allowed an official mourning period of eight days. During this time, all royal affairs will be put on hold out of respect for Her Majesty’s loss. The Queen will be given an additional 30 days to grieve her life partner before being expected to return to her public duties.