BLIZZARD: Prince Philip’s funeral was Royal Family at its very best — quietly dignified, elegant and classy

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Prince Philip was laid to rest Saturday as he lived his life — with subdued dignity and grace.

The ceremony in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, was simple. There were no politicians, no speeches, no eulogies. The service reflected the Duke of Edinburgh’s love of family, duty to his country and his love of the sea.

Only 30 socially-distanced family members were permitted. The most poignant image was that of the Queen, wearing a mask and sitting alone, her head bowed, a broad-brimmed hat partially hiding her face.

I’ve covered many Royal tours and was inside Westminster Abbey for the Queen Mother’s funeral in 2002, but I’ve never seen the Queen weep. She is famously stoic in the face of tragedy, but she shed tears at the loss of her beloved husband of 73 years.

The service was full of echoes of previous Royal ceremonies. The warring princes — William and Harry — followed the hearse to the church, separated by their cousin, Peter Phillips.

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It was a solemn walk reminiscent of that terrible moment when the two young princes walked behind their mother, Princess Diana’s, coffin to Westminster Abbey after her tragic death in a Paris car crash.

They sat opposite one another inside the church, but put on a united front on the way out. William’s wife, Kate, appeared to initiate a conversation with Harry, then stepped back to allow the brothers to chat.

You couldn’t help but make comparisons to happier times: Harry and Meghan’s star-studded wedding took place in the same church just three years ago. Pre-pandemic, St. George’s was jammed with dignitaries, royals and Hollywood stars. Hundreds of thousands of people greeted the couple on a carriage ride around Windsor.

How different from this ceremony. The soaring voices of the socially — distanced choir echoed throughout the vast emptiness of the church. The achingly beautiful music was chosen by the Duke himself and reflected various aspects of his life — from his Greek origins to his time in the navy.

His beloved pony-drawn carriage was in the quadrangle outside the church, his hat and gloves resting on the seat. The hearse was a custom-built Land Rover.

The Queen Mother’s funeral was spectacular. The church was packed with royalty and leaders from around the world. A lone Spitfire flew up the Mall.

Philip, though, was a no-nonsense type. He famously told people just to “get on with it.” It was his wish that his funeral be simple. Ironically, due to the pandemic that’s exactly what he got. But it was all the more moving for its sparse simplicity. And it was very personal. The coffin was lowered into a vault beneath the church, as bugles played, “Action Stations,” — a rallying cry for sailors to go to their battle posts, an echo of his wartime naval service.

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When the Queen dies, Philip will be buried alongside her in the George VI chapel where her parents are interred.

Let’s hope the young princes learn something from the Duke’s legacy. His life was one of duty. He gave up his naval career, at which he excelled, to marry the then-princess Elizabeth. He was loyally at her side for 73 years — her steadfast “strength and stay,” as she put it.

What William and Harry — and their wives Kate and Meghan — should take from his example is that royal life is not about them. Yes, it comes with enormous privilege, but it’s not about making your fortune off the royal name. It’s not about glittering tiaras and who has the key to the fairytale gold coach.

It’s about the monarch’s role as the embodiment of state. And in the days, months and years ahead, it will be all about supporting the Queen, 94, as she continues her lifetime of service — alone.

For the first time I can remember, the Queen looked frail and vulnerable. Harry had resigned from Royal duties and will soon be jetting back to his California mansion. It’s hard to see how he can support her from a distance. Prince Charles will step up, as will Princess Anne and the Queen’s youngest son, Edward, Duke of Wessex and his wife Sophie. Prince Andrew has been fired from royal duties and is unlikely to be back any time soon.

The greatest tribute Harry and William could pay their grandfather is to mend their rift. Their grandmother, the Queen, needs them now.

They and their wives must put aside their egos and petty pride and look to their grandparents as an example. Philip’s funeral was the Royal Family at its very best: Quietly dignified, elegant and classy. It was everything Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview was not.

How fitting if in death, Philip can reunite the brothers and restore peace to the House of Windsor.