Charles Spencer describes Prince Philip's funeral as 'stunningly moving'


Charles Spencer praised the Duke of Edinburgh’s ‘stunningly moving’ funeral today.

The brother of the late Princess Diana, 56, took to Twitter on Saturday after Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday afternoon to describe the ceremony as ‘moving’.

Charles was not in attendance at Saturday’s funeral, which only saw a scaled-back 30 guests in attendance due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

After the funeral, which was broadcast live on UK television channels including the BBC, Charles simply tweeted: ‘Goodness – what a stunningly moving ceremony.’

The brother of the late Princess Diana, 56, took to Twitter on Saturday after Prince Philip's funeral on Saturday afternoon to describe the ceremony as 'moving'

The brother of the late Princess Diana, 56, took to Twitter on Saturday after Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday afternoon to describe the ceremony as ‘moving’

Earl Spencer’s simple tribute came after the royal family gathered at St George’s Chapel on Saturday afternoon to pay respect to the late Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen’s four children, eight grandchildren and their respective spouses have come together today to support Her Majesty following the death of her husband last week at the age of 99. 

All 30 guests who attended the scaled back funeral amid the Covid-19 pandemic kept themselves protected by wearing black face masks covering both their noses and mouths.

The funeral saw his nephews Prince Harry and Prince William reunite for the first time since Harry’s bombshell interview with Oprah, although they were separated by cousin Peter Phillips during the royal procession behind Prince Philip’s coffin.

Charles was not in attendance at Saturday's funeral, which only saw a scaled-back 30 guests in attendance due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but tweeted after the ceremony (above)

Charles was not in attendance at Saturday’s funeral, which only saw a scaled-back 30 guests in attendance due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but tweeted after the ceremony (above)

The funeral saw his nephews Prince Harry and Prince William (pictured during the ceremonial procession) reunite for the first time since Harry's bombshell interview with Oprah

The funeral saw his nephews Prince Harry and Prince William (pictured during the ceremonial procession) reunite for the first time since Harry’s bombshell interview with Oprah

It comes after a royal expert claimed that walking behind their grandfather’s coffin would bring back ‘difficult memories’ for Prince William and Harry of ‘losing their mother’. 

Following Princess Diana’s death, William and Harry walked behind her coffin alongside Earl Spencer, Prince Charles, Prince Philip as it made its way to Westminster Abbey. 

Speaking to FEMAIL before the funeral, royal expert Penny Junor said it would bring back ‘difficult memories’ of Princess Diana’s funeral for William, Harry and Charles. 

She told FEMAIL: ‘This is likely to be a very emotional and reflective time for the entire family.

‘I am sure that walking behind their grandfather’s coffin will bring back difficult memories for William and Harry of losing their mother. It will probably bring back difficult memories for their father, too. 

‘And I am sure it won’t be lost on any of them that the last time they walked behind a coffin, the Duke of Edinburgh was there walking with them and giving them all the courage they needed to get through the day.’ 

Earl Spencer joined the two young brothers, as well as Prince Philip and Prince Charles, to walk behind his elder sister the Princess of Wales’ coffin following her death in 1997. 

Walking behind Prince Philip's coffin will bring back 'memories' for William and Harry of 'losing their mother', a royal expert claimed (above, with Charles and Earl Spencer at Diana's funeral)

Walking behind Prince Philip’s coffin will bring back ‘memories’ for William and Harry of ‘losing their mother’, a royal expert claimed (above, with Charles and Earl Spencer at Diana’s funeral)

Charles, Earl Spencer, has been married three times, firstly to Victoria Lockwood, then second wife Caroline Freud and lastly to Karen Spencer (pictured in 2018)

Charles, Earl Spencer, has been married three times, firstly to Victoria Lockwood, then second wife Caroline Freud and lastly to Karen Spencer (pictured in 2018)

Charles married Canadian-born Karen Villeneuve at the Spencer’s Northamptonshire estate in 2011 after separating from second wife Caroline Freud in 2007. He was married to first wife Victoria Lockwood from 1989 to 1997. 

Charles, the only surviving son of France Shand Kidd and John Spencer is custodian of Althorp. 

Diana had an older brother, John Spencer, died within ten hours of his birth on 12 January 1960.

Charles has been married three times, firstly to Victoria Lockwood, with whom he has Lady Kitty Spencer, 30,  twins Lady Eliza Spencer and , Lady Amelia Spencer, 28 and Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, 26.

He also has Edmund Spencer, 17, and Lady Lara Spencer, 15, from second wife Caroline Freud, who was previously married to PR guru Matthew Freud. 

With his current wife Karen, he has one daughter, Charlotte Diana Spencer, eight.

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