Why did all the senior royals wear green at Prince Philip’s memorial?

There was a clear style memo in force at Prince Philip’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey today.

Eschewing the traditional black dress code, senior royals paid a touching tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh – who passed away on 9th April 2021 at Windsor Castle aged 99 – by wearing the same shade of dark green.

Known formally as “Edinburgh Green”, it was Prince Philip’s livery colour, which was used over the years for his staff uniforms and private cars, including the modified Land Rover that carried his coffin at his funeral last April.

Worn by Her Majesty the Queen - in only her second major public event since last October - Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne and Princess Letizia of Spain, the colour is also thought to be a nod to Prince Philip’s long-standing association with the Rifles Regiment, who also wear a green uniform. Philip was Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment from 2007 until 2020, when he handed over the role to daughter-in-law Camilla.

Duke of Edinburgh Memorial Service

It was a tribute further cemented by the Duchess of Cambridge, who wore the same special Bugle Brooch she sported at Prince Philip’s funeral last year. The silver Bugle Horn is used as the cap badge of The Rifles and is worn by every rifleman today. Instead of wearing green, Kate attended the thanksgiving event in a polka dot dress by London-based designer Alessandra Rich.

A number of others in the 1800-strong congregation also wore Edinburgh Green, including Doyin Sonibare, a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award holder who delivered a special tribute during the 45-minute long ceremony about the transformative effect Philip’s youth scheme had on her life.