Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (left) and Prince George of Cambridge ride in a horse carriage. AFP

Gulf Today Report

The British Royal Family is keeping life-long eco-crusader Prince Phillip’s wishes alive by giving him a “green” funeral.

On Friday, April 9, it was announced that the Duke of Edinburgh had passed away “peacefully” at Windsor Castle at the age of 99.

The duke’s funeral will be held at 3pm on Saturday April 17 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. But due to coronavirus restrictions, just 30 guests will be permitted to attend.

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There have been reports that the Duke of Edinburgh wanted a low-key ceremony without fanfare and it was announced that Philip would be given a ceremonial royal funeral.

This is different from a state funeral. A state funeral is normally reserved for the monarch.

Now further details of the funeral have emerged with The Sun reporting that the ceremony will honour Philip’s life-long interest in the environment with some eco-friendly touches.

The Land Rover that will transport the Duke’s wool coffin through the grounds of Windsor Castle to the chapel — that Prince Philip himself helped design back in 2005 — is believed to be a hybrid electric vehicle.

The insides of the coffin are lined with organic cotton and the edges are finished with jute.

The royal family has an ongoing friendship with the West Yorkshire-based company that makes wool coffins, AW Hainsworth.

In 2010, Prince Charles said in a speech at Clarence House: “I have discovered a company that makes a woollen coffin — coffins, ladies and gentlemen, to die for.”

The late Duke of Edinburgh helped found the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 1961.

Lauding the prince for championing several environmental and conservation causes, naturalist Sir David Attenborough said: “His importance to conservation worldwide has been absolutely huge.

“You can go anywhere in the world and he will know where you have to make the connection, where you have to put the pressure, what you have to do. He’s very practical in those terms.”