Several of Prince Philip's poignant last requests will finally be honoured at his memorial service later today.
When the Duke of Edinburgh, the beloved husband of the Queen, died last April aged 99, England was still in the grip of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This meant his funeral, held on April 17 at St George's Chapel in Windsor, was a much scaled-back service, with just 30 guests and no singing by the guests.
It had been Philip's express wishes for the congregation to join and sing the rousing hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer at his funeral.
Although the hymn was sung by a small choir, guests at his funeral were not allowed to join in.
However, today, this request will finally be fulfilled at today's service when the 1,800-strong congregation sing the hymn.
In addition, Philip, who worked on his own funeral details – codenamed Forth Bridge – for many years, had asked for the choir to sing Te Deum in C by Benjamin Britten, and this will also be part of Tuesday’s proceedings.
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Meanwhile, clergy from Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral will all play a special part in the service - at Philip's request.
Philip had an active role in the day-to-day management of the estates for many years.
He wanted the minister of Crathie Church near Balmoral, the rector of Sandringham and the chaplain to the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor Great Park, to take part in his funeral - but Covid restrictions could not allow this.
Nearly all members of the Royal Family will be attending today's event, including Prince Andrew, who will arrive alongside his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank.
Also there will be Prince Charles, Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Duke of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
However, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not returning from the US for the service.
Around 30 foreign royals will attend, including Prince Albert of Monaco, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe and Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, who would have originally been on the pre-pandemic guest list.
Also invited are Sir David Attenborough, Dame Floella Benjamin, Baroness Grey-Thompson and members of the military who were involved in the funeral, including Pipe Major Colour Sergeant Peter Grant and the Grenadier Guards Bearer Party.
