**Royal Family Gathers for Prince Philip’s Funeral Service**

Buckingham Palace has unveiled the official guest list of 30 individuals who will be in attendance at the funeral service of the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday.

The late Prince Philip, who passed away at the age of 99 last Friday, is set to be laid to rest at St George's Chapel in Windsor, west of London, at 3pm local time, which translates to 10am ET.

While preparations for the funeral have been ongoing for many years, the ceremony had to be scaled back due to the prevailing pandemic situation.

The congregation of mourners will be limited to close family members and friends of the revered patriarch.

A spokesperson from Buckingham Palace revealed that Queen Elizabeth II had to make challenging decisions in line with the 30-person restriction.

Emphasizing that the essence of the event remains rooted in family, the spokesperson stated that adherence to Covid guidelines necessitated a careful selection of attendees.

Her Majesty aimed to ensure representation from all branches of the Duke's family, leading to tough choices regarding the final guest list.

In light of the limited capacity, the 94-year-old monarch will be accompanied by her four children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward – along with their respective spouses.

Additionally, the late Duke of Edinburgh's eight grandchildren, including Prince William, Prince Harry, and Princess Eugenie, are expected to pay their respects at the funeral.

Notably, Prince William's wife Catherine and other spouses of the royal grandchildren will also be present.

Joining the royal family at the service will be the Queen's first cousins, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, and Princess Alexandra, alongside other extended relatives such as the descendants of the late Princess Margaret.

Notable among the attendees are some of Prince Philip's German relatives, underscoring the international connections of the British royal family.

All individuals present at the funeral, including Queen Elizabeth, will be required to wear masks inside St George's Chapel.

However, participants in the funeral procession will only don masks towards the conclusion of the chapel proceedings.

It has been disclosed that Prince William and Prince Harry, together with their cousin Peter Phillips, will walk behind their grandfather's coffin during the procession, reflecting a poignant display of familial unity.

Despite the subdued nature of the ceremony, sources close to Prince Philip assert that the scaled-back proceedings align with his preferences.

Former palace spokesperson Alicia Anderson remarked that the late Duke would have appreciated the simplicity of the arrangements, reflecting his lifelong aversion to extravagance.

As the royal family gathers to bid farewell to Prince Philip, the world watches on in solemn remembrance of a remarkable figure in British history.