The Duke of Edinburgh will not be lying in state and will not have a state funeral, in accordance with his wishes.

His ceremonial royal funeral and burial are expected to take place in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

But the coronavirus pandemic - with the ban on mass gatherings and England in national lockdown - means the exact plans for the aftermath of Philip's death have had to change, with public elements removed to prevent crowds gathering.

Flags are already flying at half-mast on UK government buildings duke and will do so until the morning after his funeral.

Members of the public have been asked not to gather at royal residences nor to leave floral tributes - but to donate to charity instead.

THE FUNERAL

The details of Philip's televised funeral are expected to be officially announced this weekend, with Buckingham Palace aides having to consider how it should be handled during the worst public health crisis for generations.

The Queen has final approval over the plans - codenamed Forth Bridge - and will be considering the amended arrangements.

The date has yet to be confirmed, but originally, the funeral was due to be staged eight days after Philip's death, which would be April 17 - just four days before the Queen's 95th birthday on April 21.

The duke's children and older grandchildren were likely to have walked through the streets behind the coffin, similar to the processions for the funerals of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the Queen Mother - but anything with the potential to draw a crowd will no longer take place.

The Lord Chamberlain, Baron Parker of Minsmere, will oversee the long-held master plan and the days leading up to it.

Philip helped draw up the original details himself and was determined there should be a minimum of fuss.

THE GUEST LIST

Only 30 people - as well as the clergy - will be allowed to attend Philip's funeral.

It was originally planned for 800 guests but will now have to take into account the strict limit on numbers during the pandemic.

The Queen will have to decide which family members to invite.

The Duke of Sussex is likely to travel back from the US to attend.

GUN SALUTES

Gun salutes marking Philip's death will take place across the UK, in Gibraltar and at sea on Saturday.

Saluting batteries will fire 41 rounds at one round every minute from midday in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, as well as Gibraltar and from Royal Navy warships.

ROYAL FAMILY'S MOURNING

The Queen also has to decide whether the royal family will enter Court Mourning - dressing in black and using black-edged writing paper - or the alternative, shorter Family Mourning - dressing in black - and how long this will last.

Some official engagements may continue, but social engagements - most on hold anyway because of the pandemic - are usually cancelled after the death of a senior member of the royal family unless in aid of charity.

Family Mourning for the Queen Mother in 2002 lasted three weeks.

NATIONAL MOURNING

The UK government decides on the length of any National Mourning, which usually lasts until the day after the funeral.

A nationwide two-minute silence could take place, as it did for the Queen Mother on the day of her funeral.

PARLIAMENT

Parliament is being recalled from its Easter recess to allow MPs and peers to pay tribute to the duke.

The House of Commons will reconvene on Monday, a day earlier than scheduled.

QUEEN MAY ADDRESS THE NATION

The Queen may record a televised speech in tribute to her husband, just as she did for the Queen Mother in 2002, but it will depend on how she is feeling.

MEDIA

The funeral is expected to be televised live by the BBC and other broadcasters.

COFFIN AT REST

Traditionally, the duke's coffin would have been moved to the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace to remain at rest for several days, but at present it remains at Windsor Castle, where it's unlikely to be moved for fear of drawing crowds.

The Queen retreated to Windsor for the lockdown period so events will undoubtedly be focused there instead.

The monarch and the royal family will pay their respects in private, as will household staff.

Philip's children are likely to hold a private vigil at some stage around the coffin if restrictions permit.

LYING IN STATE

The duke's coffin will not lie in state.

This has long been reported as the plan but, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has the benefit of freeing the government and the royal household from a series of logistical nightmares.

The Queen Mother - the last sovereign's consort to die - lay in state in Westminster Hall, allowing hundreds of thousands of people to file past to pay their respects.

But Philip always insisted he did not want this honour.

BURIAL

The duke is expected to be buried in the Royal Vault in St George's Chapel on the same day as the funeral.

This service will be private, attended by the Queen and senior members of the royal family.

NO MEMORIAL SERVICE

In accordance with Philip's wishes, there will be no official memorial service.

This might change, however, because of the scaled-back funeral - but only with the Queen's agreement.

Australian Associated Press