Advertisement

Mike Tindall: Royals were told to leave as soon as Prince Philip's funeral was over

Watch: Prince Philip’s funeral was exactly 'how he would have liked it'

Mike Tindall has revealed that the royals had to leave Windsor Castle as soon as the funeral of Prince Philip was over, as they sought to follow COVID guidelines.

Prince Philip died on 9 April and the Queen was careful to follow coronavirus regulations at his funeral on 17 April, meaning there were only 30 mourners present.

Despite there being some guidelines to allow for a wake, her grandson-in-law, former rugby player Tindall, confirmed on Friday that they all left promptly.

He's previously praised the Queen for how she led by example during the funeral, saying his love for her had grown on that day.

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall arrive for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's funeral at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, United Kingdom. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by Mark Large-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Mike and Zara Tindall were two of the 30 mourners at the funeral on 17 April. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Read more: Harry and Meghan 'privately congratulate' William and Kate on anniversary

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Friday, he said: "I think that's what she does, she leads by example... you say 'amazing to see' but I didn't really want to see it.

"Everyone has seen it now.

"Even after the funeral it was sort of 'you all need to leave', and so you didn't even get to have that supportive side afterwards.

"The way that the funeral was planned and run was exceptional... for Zara it was seeing his carriage, ponies, and the gloves, and the sugar cube box and all that lined up."

He also spoke to BBC Breakfast, saying: "Loss is always going to be difficult, I thought the funeral was beautifully done.

"But having to see the Queen make a stand in terms of showing what the world was at the moment and sit on her own and be as brave as she was, summed her up as a lady. She was amazing."

He added: "The funeral finished and it was sort of, get in your cars and go home. That is what was allowed, that's what the law and the rules state and so that's what happened.

"It was tough, but the funeral was done so well. I think he would have been happier about the way it happened."

Watch: Tindall tells of his parents’ lockdown isolation to raise Parkinson’s awareness

Read more: Mike Tindall reveals small daughters 'try to help' with newborn Lucas

Tindall is married to Zara, one of the Queen's granddaughters, and so was one of the smaller number of mourners at the service at St George's Chapel.

He previously described it as "eerie" but said that the smaller service is probably what the Duke of Edinburgh would have wanted.

Speaking on his podcast last week, he said: "The way everything was I think it was the perfect day... how he would have liked it.

"No fuss, get on with it, and my love for the Queen was even better."

Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips attend the funeral service of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh inside St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021. - Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died on April 9 aged 99 just weeks after a month-long stay in hospital for treatment to a heart condition and an infection. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski / POOL / AFP) (Photo by DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Mike and Zara Tindall seated in St George's Chapel during the funeral of Prince Philip. (AFP)

Earlier this month, Tindall experienced his first royal engagement as he chatted to the wife of the Queen's cousin, the Duchess of Gloucester, about Parkinson's and his family's battle with the disease.

His father Philip was diagnosed with the disease in 2003 and he discussed how lockdown had been for his parents as his mother, Linda, is his primary carer.

The Tindalls don't carry out royal duties, and live on the Gatcombe estate, which is owned by Princess Anne, the Queen's only daughter.