Swindon mourners joined the nation in paying their respects as the Duke of Edinburgh was laid to rest.

It was emotional for Julie Lockie who watched TV coverage of the cortege and funeral service in Windsor, held following a minute’s silence in memory of the prince. Over the same weekend she became a grandmother.

She was proud to see Royal Marines carry the coffin into the chapel. Her eldest brother Michael was one of the marines who took part in the royal couple’s visit to Ceylon - now Sri Lanka - in 1954.

She said: “It was a busy weekend, one life entered the world as another left it.

“The funeral was magnificent, a very emotional day. I felt proud seeing all the Royal Marines there, all the different regiments and bands, knowing my brother was once among them.

“They could not have asked for better weather, it was beautiful, so nice to see the sunshine and the whole spectacle. As funerals go, it was a perfect day and the best send-off they could have given in the circumstances.

“The Queen was reflecting alone, I think everyone watching felt something towards that. They stood together through so much over the years, with him just behind and her in front, but for the first and only time he was in front and she was behind him.

“He did very well to live so long and do so much.”

Charlotte Woodley, from Chiseldon, sat in her garden to listen to the bell of the Church of the Holy Cross being rung by her dad Colin.

 “The times we are in have been very challenging and the bells have been inactive for the majority of the pandemic,” she said.

“The bell ringers of Holy Cross were honoured to be asked if they could join in and be one of the many churches across the UK to ring the bell for such a special occasion.

“It was lovely to sit out in the garden on such a beautiful day and listen to my dad ringing the church bell, a tradition that’s been going on for hundreds of years for moments of celebrations and sadness and we hope to carry this tradition for many years.”

Richard Parry who works in Swindon said he met the Duke of Edinburgh in 2004 when he went with the Queen to open a new government building. He said: “I thought the funeral was very poignant. It was hard not to think about everybody who has died over the last year. It was almost like it was a funeral for the whole country.

“I felt very sorry for the Queen when I saw her sitting alone. That seemed so sad she couldn’t have her children, or even just one of them, to sit next to her and hold her hand.

“I thought it was very moving and a good way to mark such a long life that has played a role in all of our lives.”

Adver readers have also paid their respects to the duke, who died on April 9 a few weeks short of his 100th birthday.

Linda Holliday said: “A beautiful service. I raised a glass and shed a few tears.”

Janet Shaw said: “Our five-year-old twins were silent for a whole minute. Impeccably observed.”

Nichola Cunningham said: “I did my minute’s silence, watched the service, shed a tear and wished Her Majesty and family all the best. RIP Prince Philip – you served your family and nation well.”

Swindonians living abroad have paid tributes to the Duke of Edinburgh.

Ellis Byrd said: “Silent moment here in the USA too. Many expats and friends stood in silence too. We may live in America and other parts of the world, but we will always be English.”

 Jill Shail said: “My friends and I in Spain observed the silence and watch the very dignified and beautiful ceremony.”

The Prince of Wales and Princess Royal led senior royals in walking behind their father’s coffin the short distance from the castle to St George’s Chapel.

Philip’s coffin was carried on a custom-built Land Rover Defender hearse designed by the duke and modified over 16 years.

It was followed for part of its final journey by the Queen, who travelled in a Bentley with Lady Susan Hussey, her trusted lady-in-waiting.

Watching as it passed were royal mourners including the Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Wessex and her children Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor.

Prince William and Prince Harry joined the procession, separated by their cousin Peter Phillips.

Due to Covid restrictions, the Queen sat alone during the service.