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Smoke bomb set off during minute’s silence at Luton’s match against Watford

A smoke bomb was let off
The incident happened inside Luton's stadium Kenilworth Road on Saturday afternoon. (PA)

A smoke bomb was set off as Luton and Watford footballers observed a minute’s silence in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday.

The incident happened inside Luton's stadium Kenilworth Road on Saturday afternoon.

English Football League (EFL) games were moved from their traditional 3pm kick-off slot due to Prince Philip’s funeral taking place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle at the same time following his death last week at the age of 99.

As Luton and Watford players stood around the centre circle for a minute’s silence before the 12.30pm start, a smoke bomb was let off inside the ground close to the executive boxes and seating.

No players were near to the device when it exploded to reveal red smoke, but an image of it could be seen on a picture taken by Luton’s official Twitter account.

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Members of the public observe a minute's silence on the Long Walk in Windsor on April 17, 2021 to mark the start of the funeral service of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. - 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 Tolga Akmen / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Members of the public observe a minute's silence on the Long Walk in Windsor. (Getty)

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all EFL matches continue to be played behind closed doors, but it did not stop a slight disruption ahead of the derby fixture in the Sky Bet Championship, with a steward forced to dispose of the smoke bomb before play was able to get underway.

The Royal Family paid their last respects to Prince Philip on Saturday at a funeral that celebrated his naval past, international heritage, and seven decades of service.

The Queen, dressed in black and a white trimmed black mask, stood alone as the funeral service began in St George's Chapel, dating back to 1475.

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Pallbearers carry the coffin up the west steps of St George's Chapel during the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 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 Danny Lawson / POOL / AFP) (Photo by DANNY LAWSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Pallbearers carry Prince Philip's coffin up the west steps of St George's Chapel. (Getty)

At the ceremony in Windsor Castle, mourners, including Prince Charles and his sons Princes William and Harry, were limited in number and separated due to COVID-19 rules.

After the nation observed a minute's silence, Harry and William took up their places on opposite sides of the chapel with the final resting place of Tudor monarch Henry VIII dividing them.

Before the procession, military bands spaced out across the quadrangle of Windsor Castle to play the prince's chosen music, including I Vow To Thee My Country, Jerusalem and Nimrod.

Watch: Prince Philip's funeral to take place 'entirely inside' Windsor Castle grounds