Aus defence staff chief on attending Philip funeral

The head of the Australian Defence staff in London has described how humbling it was for him to be one of the chosen few allowed to attend Prince Philip's funeral.

"For him to be sent off in an environment that he was, surrounded by military people, was amazing for him. I think that's what he would have liked, and to be part of that and to have been even a very small part and represent the Australian Defence Force and Australia was quite humbling," said Commodore Guy Holthouse in Windsor on Saturday.

The Australian Commodore was one of four international military representatives attending the funeral.

"The Duke had a military representation for four nations, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago and as the Defence Advisor for Australia, particularly in a COVID environment, the honour fell to me to attend," Holthouse said.

He also mentioned the close ties the Duke of Edinburgh held with Australia.

"He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force, he was the Admiral of the Fleet, our fleet, he was the Field Marshall of our Army, he was the Chief Air Marshall for the Air Force. He was the Colonel-in-Chief for the Royal Australian Mechanical Electrical Engineers and he was the Colonel-in-Chief for Australian cadets so his connection to Australian military was absolutely solid."

The monarch was buried after a solemn, stripped-back service at Windsor Castle on Saturday.

Just 30 mourners were allowed to attend the service for the prince, who died April 9 at the age of 99.

More than 700 military personnel took part in the commemorative events, including army bands, Royal Marine buglers and an honour guard drawn from across the armed forces.

(Image Credit: AP)