Prince Philip funeral: Custom-made Land Rover to carry Duke of Edinburgh through Windsor Castle

The royal reportedly had a hand in personalising the vehicle, which will carry him to St George's Chapel

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip ride an open-top Land Rover during a visit to Fiji in 1963. The Duke of Edinburgh has long been associated with the marque. Getty Images

A custom-built Land Rover will make a poignant journey at the funeral of Prince Philip, as the vehicle will carry the Duke of Edinburgh to his final resting place on Saturday.

The gesture is particularly moving, as the late royal, who died on Friday aged 99, had a hand in designing the vehicle himself.

Long known as a motoring enthusiast, reports suggest Prince Philip helped a team of Jaguar Land Rover engineers create the modified vehicle that will drive through the grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday.

Buckingham Palace confirmed to The Sun that the purpose-built Land Rover has been specially modified to carry his coffin.

The duke was known to favour the marque, and was frequently seen in various versions of vehicles produced by the manufacturer during his lifetime.

The Land Rover will form part of the ceremony where the world will bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II's husband of more than seven decades, in a slimmed-down affair due to the impact of Covid-19.

Special vehicle aside, the duke also played a central role in planning the service, which is expected to be televised in more than 100 countries across the globe.

“It will be what’s known as a ceremonial royal funeral,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said. “The plans for the funeral are very much in line with the Duke of Edinburgh’s own personal wishes.”

The ceremonial event will take place at St George’s Chapel at 3pm local time, with the number of mourners restricted to 30 people to comply with the UK’s Covid restrictions.

There will be no public access, no public processions and the funeral will take place entirely within the grounds of Windsor Palace.

The presence of the Land Rover is fitting, as a car produced by the traditionally solid brand is believed to have saved the duke’s life after he was involved in a motor accident outside the Queen’s Sandringham estate two years ago.

The prince was not injured at the time, but the Land Rover he was driving ended up on its side.