The funeral of Dutch prince Friso takes place in the village of Lage Vuursche near Hilversum on Friday afternoon.

The prince died on Monday. He had been in a coma for 18 months after being hit by an avalanche while skiing off piste in February 2012.

In a break with tradition, the prince will be buried in the churchyard of the village’s Stulpkerk rather than placed in the family crypt in Delft’s Oude Kerk. The Lage Vuursche church adjoins the Drakensteyn castle estate, where Friso grew up and where former queen Beatrix plans to return now she has retired.

Commentators say Beatrix wants to keep her favourite son close to her. According to Nos television, Beatrix once donated land to the church so the graveyard could be extended.

Private

The funeral is taking place in private and security will be tight to keep press and the public at a distance. The main road through the village and several others have been closed since early Friday morning.

The ceremony will not be broadcast live on television but some footage and a limited number of photographs will be released after the event, Nos television said. Flags have been lowered to half mast on government buildings.