Why was Prince Philip not a king? Royal line of succession explained - and who is next in line to throne

Prince Philip, who lived to the age of 99, died last week following an operation on his heart in hospital.

Also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip was married to the Queen for 73 years - but did not hold the title of “king”.

Why was Prince Philip not a king?

While a woman who marries a king in Britain can be called a queen - as with the Queen Mother - the rules are different for men who marry female monarchs like Queen Elizabeth II.

They cannot use the title “king” because this is only given to males who inherit the throne directly.

Prince Philip married Queen Elizabeth II in 1947 before she became the monarch in 1952.

She later awarded Philip the title of “prince”, prior to which he was the Duke of Edinburgh - a title he remains well-known by.

Who is next in line to the throne?

The order of succession is the sequence of members of the Royal Family in the order in which they stand in line to the throne.

Currently, the next in the line of succession is Prince Charles, who will become king when his mother, the Queen, dies, retires or abdicates the throne.

Following Charles is his oldest son, Prince William the Duke of Cambridge. His children, rather than Prince Harry, are next in line to the throne in age order, from Prince George to Princess Charlotte and then Prince Louis.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is sixth in line to the throne, followed by his son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

What are the arrangements for the funeral?

The funeral will take place at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle at 15:00 BST on Saturday, with the duke’s children walking alongside his hearse to the chapel.

Philip will be travelling in a specially-modified Land Rover hearse, which the duke helped to redesign over a 16 year period.

The duke requested the Land Rover be repainted in military green and helped design the open top rear of the car.

Philip had made arrangements for his funeral prior to his death, and, reflecting his life-long association with the Royal Navy, buglers of the Royal Marines will sound Action Stations during the service.

The bugle call is usually played on a warship to signal all hands should go to battle stations.

As in Prince Philip’s case, the bugle call is sometimes used at the funerals of naval men.

Philip also personally selected the decorations, insignia and medals which will be on the altar at his funeral.

A reduced choir of four singers will feature during the service and the guests will follow Covid rules and not sing along.

Who will be attending?

In line with Covid guidance, just 30 guests will attend the service, all of whom will be wearing face masks.

The Queen will sit alone in the quire of St George’s Chapel, with all mourners following Covid guidelines by remaining socially distanced.

While Princes William and Harry will both attend the funeral, they will not walk shoulder to shoulder when they join senior royals in the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral procession on Saturday.

The Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex, whose troubled relationship is well documented, will be separated by cousin Peter Phillips as they walk in a line behind their grandfather’s coffin.

When the coffin is taken into St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, William will move ahead of his brother as the royal family arrives in pairs.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that royal men will wear morning coats with their medals and the women will wear day dresses.

Buckingham Palace said the Queen had faced "some very difficult" decisions in choosing just 30 guests from the 800 which had originally been planned.