FOG BLOG ROYALS LOG: ROYAL FUNERAL TODAY FOR PRINCE PHILIP, CHAPEL AT WINDSOR CASTLE:

Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family paid their last respects to Prince Philip at his funeral Saturday, highlighting his decades of service...Sitting by herself at the funeral of Prince Philip on Saturday, Queen Elizabeth cut a regal, but solitary figure: still the monarch, but now alone.

The queen sat apart from family members at the simple but sombre ceremony in accordance with strict social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic. But if the ceremony had been for anyone else, at her side would have been her husband of 73 years, who gave a lifetime of service to the crown.

Wearing a facemask, the queen was dressed all in black, except for the diamond brooch that flashed on her left shoulder -- a piece she had often worn on engagements with her husband.

Prince Philip was interred in the royal vault at St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle, with the Royal Family saying their final goodbyes to the Duke of Edinburgh who died April 9 at age 99.

Adjustments to the funeral plans were made in light of the COVID-19 pandemic - the hundreds of guests that would normally be expected for the event were whittled down to 30 people, mainly family members...Traditional mourning attire was also altered, with none of the male Royal Family members wearing the expected military uniforms, instead sporting dark morning coats and medals across their chests.......It is thought that traditional military uniforms were avoided to prevent any awkwardness for Prince Harry, who was stripped of his honorary military titles and most patronages when he stepped back from royal duties last year.

“Once you retire or leave the military, below a certain rank, you don't have the right to wear the uniform anymore. That's the custom and that is observed,” said CTV News’ royal commentator Richard Berthelsen in a telephone interview Saturday.

“We have seen other royal funerals that the men have not worn uniforms, but we have not seen a royal ceremonial funeral for the consort of the sovereign, someone who every aspect of their service had military written all over it,” he continued. “We have not seen that before. I think it is unfortunate.”

Berthelsen said the medals worn by the Royal Family commemorate their military service and denote their membership in several orders, such as the Order of Canada and the Order of the Garter.