Boris Johnson's office has apologized to the palace for hosting Downing Street parties the day before Prince Philip's funeral

• Downing Street apologized to Buckingham Palace for hosting lockdown parties in April.
• Two of the parties were held the day before Prince Philip's funeral.

Boris Johnson's representatives have apologized to Buckingham Palace for hosting parties at Downing Street the day before Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday that Downing Street broke lockdown rules by hosting two leaving parties for former government employee on April 16, the day before the Queen said goodbye to her husband with a socially-distanced funeral.

"It is deeply regrettable that this took place at a time of national mourning. Number 10 has apologized to the palace," the Prime Minister's deputy spokesperson said in a statement sent to Insider.

Johnson's spokesperson has declined to comment on whether Johnson will make a personal apology to Her Majesty during his next private audience with her, The Guardian reports.

The Duke of Edinburgh died on April 9 at the age of 99. Her Majesty was one of just 30 select guests permitted to attend the funeral at Windsor Castle due to the UK government's strict COVID-19 restrictions at the time.

The monarch was photographed sitting alone at the funeral. She was most likely adhering to the government's former social-distancing guidelines, which stated people must stay two meters away from those outside their household or support bubble.

Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.