Photographer was hidden during Prince Philip’s funeral

The extra attendee was in a very special place

Photographer Arthur Edwards was a close friend of Britain’s Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband. For more than 40 years, the eighty-year-old photographer had been visiting the royal family to take pictures of the prince. So it was a great honor for him to be asked to take pictures at the prince’s funeral as well. 

Prince Philip

Prince Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh and the husband of Queen Elizabeth, passed away on April 9, 2021. He reached the old age of 99 and was married to the British Queen for no less than 73 years. No wonder, then, that the news touched many people deeply. However, a big funeral service was not going to happen. Prince Philip did not wish to have the big state funeral in the first place, and due to the corona measures in force in April, only thirty people could attend the funeral. Many people wanted to experience the prince’s last farewell and followed the service on live television. There were 13.6 million people watching their TVs in the UK alone.

Secret Attendee

The thirty guests were all family and friends of the deceased prince. Prince Harry, Prince Philip’s grandson, was also present at the ceremony, even though he currently lives in America. In addition to this select group of relatives, Arthur Edwards was allowed to take a seat as a photographer in the church where the funeral took place. Although, in reality, he was well hidden so that it was not visible to the general public.

Unique pictures

Edwards was assigned a very special place, which allowed him to take close-up photos of the coffin and of the royal family. However, many viewers never even noticed that a photographer was on site.

Hidden Hideout

Just in front of St George’s Chapel, the church where the funeral took place, two fake pillars had been placed, one with a see-through window installed into it. This was the photographer’s unique position. “It felt like I was in a little birdhouse,” said Arthur Edwards. According to Edwards, this was the strangest place he had ever taken a photo. But not only this hidden hiding place was special.

Last time

He also had to say goodbye to his old friend like this. Edwards felt very emotional as the coffin passed by his fake pillar. “The last time I would see the man I photographed for 40 years. I was overwhelmed with memories of a wonderful man.”

Prince Charles

The grief of the royal family also touched the photographer very much. According to him, Prince Charles, Prince Philip’s eldest son, looked like he could burst into tears at any moment. “Charles looked like he was about to cry at any moment. You could tell in that moment that he realized the tasks that rest on him now, both when it comes to the care of his mother and the monarchy.”

Source: Nu.nl | Image: BrunoPress