Sarah Ferguson had this important role on the day of Prince Philip’s funeral

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York was not one of the 30 guests who attended Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17, but she did have a very important role on the day. 

• Sarah Ferguson wasn’t invited (opens in new tab) to the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral which saw only 30 guests attend due to Covid-19 restrictions.
• Though her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie both paid their respects to their grandfather on Saturday, leaving Sarah with a special role that day. 
• This royal news (opens in new tab) comes after the heartbreaking way Prince William told Prince George, Charlotte, and Louis about Prince Philip’s death was revealed (opens in new tab).

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York was not one of the 30 guests (opens in new tab) at Prince Philip’s funeral at St George’s Chapel on April 17. This is thought to be due to the Covid-19 restrictions, which also meant the Queen sat alone, though not in the front row (opens in new tab), of the chapel for the service.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s death didn't change the royal line of succession (opens in new tab), but it changed the monarchy as we know it.

The Queen currently remains in mourning for her husband of 73 years (opens in new tab) until April 22. 

Amongst the members of the Royal Family, sometimes called The Firm (opens in new tab), who attended Philip’s funeral were his granddaughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice and their husbands.

Eugenie and Beatrice’s father Prince Andrew also attended the service, leaving Sarah as the only York family member not there.

However, Sarah still carried out a very important role on this day. It’s thought Sarah remained at her home in the Royal Lodge at Windsor and she reportedly spent the day looking after her grandson August Brooksbank. 

Eugenie gave birth (opens in new tab) to August Philip Hawke Brooksbank in February and chose one of his middle names as a sweet tribute to her grandfather (opens in new tab) Prince Philip.

It’s understood that the family are based at Prince Harry and Meghan’s former UK home (opens in new tab), Frogmore Cottage, which is close to the Royal Lodge. Eugenie and Jack even supposedly spent time there during lockdown (opens in new tab). 

Following the sad passing of Prince Philip, Eugenie took to Instagram to share a deeply moving tribute to her “Grandpa”. 

She ended her heartfelt caption with the declaration: ‘I will remember you in your children, your grandchildren and great grandchildren.

‘Thank you for your dedication and love for us all and especially Granny, who we will look after for you. With all my love Eugenie’.