MOURNERS descended on Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to pay their respects to Prince Phillip but were dispersed by police.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been married to the Queen for 73 years, passed away "peacefully" at Windsor Castle this morning, aged 99.
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Royal household placed a framed plaque announcing the Duke of Edinburgh's death on the front gates to Buckingham Palace.
Around 30 people began queueing to read the sign but four police officers on horses have stopped small crowds from gathering.
Members of the public have also started laying flowers at the foot of the gates.
Royal reporter Richard Palmer tweeted: "The traditional announcement of a royal death has been posted on the railings at Buckingham Palace.
"It will be taken down quickly though to avoid crowds gathering because of Covid-19."
Grieving members of the public in Windsor gathered in their masses to watch as the media broadcast the breaking news.
It comes as..
- Prince Philip, 99, died at Windsor Castle this morning
- Queen shared a poignant photo of Philip as she spoke of ‘deep sorrow’ over the loss of her husband of 73 years
- Prince Philip funeral arrangements have been revealed
- This Morning taken off air as Queen announces Philip’s death
- Boris Johnson paid tribute to ‘extraordinary’ Prince Philip
- The Duke of Edinburgh's early years were remembered after he felt Corfu on a warship
- The Queen will be in eight days of mourning, it was reported
Royal wardens dressed in red and grey suits stood outside the castle, rearranging the dozens of bunches of flowers accumulating outside the historic building, while co-ordinators stated the wardens needed to "remain socially distanced at all times."
Standing across the road from Windsor Castle was charity worker James Elliott.
"I came today because I live locally, but also because I’ve met Prince Phillip before," said the 23-year-old.
"I was part of the 12th Windsor Scout group and he came to visit our hall. It was the personal touch which was quite nice. I was about 15 but this news has hit me quite hard.
"It’s a sad day for the whole nation but for me because I grew up doing his Duke of Edinburgh programme. My parents are at work but they will come down this evening to see the flowers and pay their respects."
Her Majesty, 94, today shared a poignant photo of Philip as she talked of her "deep sorrow" in a heartfelt tribute to her "beloved" husband.
The tragic news is a huge blow to the Queen, with the Duke widely known to be her "strength and guide" and the backbone of the Royal Family.
Just after midday, the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK as the world mourns his death.
Tributes have poured in from around the world for the hardest-working member of the Royal Family after serving his country for more than seven decades.
The pandemic will have a major impact on the carefully laid funeral arrangements, made in consultation with the duke.
With lockdown restrictions still in place, the public elements of the final farewell will not be able to take place in their original form.
As the consort of the Queen, Prince Phillip is entitled to a state funeral.
But in keeping with the duke’s no-fuss public image, it is believed that he had asked not to be given a full state funeral.
Instead, it is thought that he requested what would fundamentally be a military funeral, with a private service held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor and burial in Frogmore Gardens.
The Duke spent his final days with his wife at Windsor Castle, after a 28-night stay in hospital.
But despite her personal pain, Her Majesty, 94, showed her dedication to the country and her family.
She joined Prince Charles for a socially-distanced walk over the Easter weekend.
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