London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2025

Heartbreaking pic of Queen at Phil's funeral sparks calls to ease Covid rules

Heartbreaking pic of Queen at Phil's funeral sparks calls to ease Covid rules

CALLS to ease social distancing at funerals were growing last night after images of the Queen grieving alone broke the nation’s heart.

Covid restrictions meant the monarch, 95 this week, could not be comforted inside St George’s Chapel at Windsor as she paid a final farewell to Prince Philip.

Images of the Queen grieving alone at Prince Philip's funeral broke the nation’s heart

Her Majesty wore a face mask as she was driven to Saturday's service


Similar heart-breaking scenes have been witnessed at funerals across the country.

Yet, in contrast, some streets were packed with drinkers — and fans began returning to sports events.

No one felt more sympathy for the Queen than Craig Bicknell, 43, who had been unable to bear the sight of his mum breaking down at his dad’s funeral.

He had instinctively pulled up a chair to comfort sobbing Barbara, 71, only to be told by a worker at Crownhill crematorium, Milton Keynes: “Sorry, you have to put the chairs back I’m afraid.”

Craig was deluged with support after posting footage online.

Having watched the Queen’s ordeal on Saturday, he said: “It brought back a lot of feelings.

Covid restrictions meant the monarch could not be comforted inside St George’s Chapel

Prince Andrew sat closest to the Queen, but the pair remained socially distanced

Similar heartbreaking scenes have been witnessed at funerals across the country

“If I had been there, I would have gone to her. I would have comforted her in a heartbeat — even with the rules as they are.”

He added: “I lost my best friend and then also my dad during Covid, so I’ve experienced two Covid funerals. I don’t get why these rules are in place.

“We have vaccines and we have rapid tests, so why not make people do a test?

“Thirty people at a funeral, but I can go to the snooker or a cup semi-final. How does that work?

“The Queen is a human being. For her to go through that is tough.

'RIDICULOUS COVID RULE'


“The Government needs to let people go to funerals and sit with each other.

“We can do other things. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Craig’s mum, Barbara, said: “I just needed a hug from my sons — a bit of comfort during such a difficult time.

“But it was denied. It’s a ridiculous Covid rule.”

Softening the rules was backed by Thomas Loughran, chief executive of Rest Assured Funeral Plans.

He said: “It is time to end the Covid restrictions on funerals.

“There is no question that they compound the pain suffered by those who lose loved ones.

Craig Bicknell was told to move away from his crying mum at his dad’s funeral

Craig had instinctively pulled up a chair to comfort mum Barbara

Barbara Wright with her late husband Alan


“It has been heartbreaking to witness the anguish of so many families faced with bidding final farewell to someone dear without the support needed most during moments of huge loss.

“Mourners consoling each other is central to funerals and the grieving process.

“It is an important part of the healing process after loss.

“Suffering is only deepened without it, at an already painful time.

“This was seen with stark clarity as the Queen was literally inconsolable at her husband’s funeral.


“Now that so many other aspects of life allow us to come together in greater numbers than 30 — in gyms, in shops, in beer gardens — it seems wholly unfair that mourners should still be subjected to restrictions that deepen their sorrow and suffering.”

Sam Tyrer, managing director of Co-op Funeralcare, agreed: “It’s impossible not to be moved by this enduring image of The Queen sitting alone at her husband’s funeral.

“Never before has one picture represented so powerfully what thousands of bereaved families up and down the UK have sadly experienced over the past year.”

Telly’s Kirstie Allsopp joined the calls for an urgent review.

She said: “I hope the sight of the Queen sitting alone brought home to everyone watching that the time has come to allow mourning people to judge their own risk, given the success of the vaccination rollout.

The Royal Family were socially distanced throughout the service at St George's Chapel

Prince Harry bowed his head in the chapel

Tearful Charles watched as his father was taken on his final journey

Prince Andrew looked sombre as he temporarily removed his mask

"Every week, approximately 10,000 people die in the UK.

“Our Government thinks that despite many being vaccinated, and rapid tests being available, their family and friends should not comfort each other with a hug.

“I do not currently have a funeral to plan, thank God, nor do I have family in hospital or a care home, but you never know when it could happen to you.”

GMB presenter Adil Ray added: “In honour of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Covid funeral rules must be changed, surely?

'RISING SENSE OF ANGER'


“Close grieving family members must be allowed to sit next to each other if they’ve had the vaccine or been tested.”

Environmentalist Ben Goldsmith tweeted: “Feeling a rising sense of anger at the sight of the Queen made to sit socially distanced wearing a grim little mask at the funeral of her husband of 73 years.”

Royal commentator Eve Pollard said: “I think we’ll worry about the Queen.

“But she is stoic. She does have her family around her even though she did look isolated.

Princess Anne, who was particularly close to her father, appeared emotional

The Queen watched as the Duke's coffin was carried into the chapel


“But that’s Covid and many people have sat at funerals alone with their families just as she did.

“I think we will worry about her until we see her out and about.”

Royal author Hugo Vickers said the Queen would be sustained by her faith but also by her subjects, adding: “We’re all right behind her.”

The royals walked behind Prince Philip's coffin on the way to his funeral

The funeral complied with Covid regulations


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
×