On 9th April 2021 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh passed away. The statement released by Buckingham Palace simply said:
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
Later on, this statement was displayed on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. In the days before electronic communications, this was the way all royal announcements, such as births and deaths, were made. Now, it has a ceremonial function.
In this blog post, we report and reflect on the mourning of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the national week of mourning that has followed his death. (For biographical details on the Duke’s life, and reflections on the impact of his death, please see the other posts on this blog.)
What has emerged in the week following his death, is that the Duke of Edinburgh was an extraordinary man. In my opinion he had many facets and roles that he embodied. He was:
A selfless server of his country, Queen, commonwealth and the wider world
Full of ideas and intelligence that he used for the greater good
A moderniser who steered the monarchy forward, albeit from the back seat
Someone who took a keen interest in his work, going the extra mile to research the organisations and charities he was involved in, getting involved at a grassroots level, and shining the spotlight on others to raise awareness
Had a prophetic insight in terms of conservation and the natural world
A competent and brave military personnel, in his role in the Royal Navy, including during his active service, and who could have gone further in his Navy career if he hadn’t felt his role was to support the Queen in her role, by stepping down from his Navy career
A man who served with humility, and eschewed fuss and bother, and pomp and circumstance, about himself
One who brought humour and wit, and livened up the lives of many
A patriarch within his family whom he supported, encouraged, and challenged
The founder of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award that has helped young people around the world
A keen sportsman, who competed at Polo and later Carriage Driving, of which he co-wrote the rule book, and established the competitive side of the sport
A man of strong Christian faith, who encouraged multi-faith communication
The ranger of Windsor Great Park and Estate, and the estates of Sandringham and Balmoral
A talented artist who enjoyed painting
An enthusiastic flyer who gained his private pilot's license as well as his Royal Navy and RAF wings, and regularly piloted the Queen's flight on tours around the world
The UK government announced that from 9th April a week’s national mourning would be held. Union flags were flown at half mast on public and private buildings as a mark of respect. Election campaigning was suspended on 9th April, and the UK government, who were on their Easter recess at the time of the Duke’s passing, did not resume normal governmental activities, except for that which was essential, especially regarding public health and the covid-19 pandemic. The House of Commons and the House of Lords met on 12th April to pay tribute to the Duke, much as they did following the death of the Queen Mother in 2002.
The royal family are still observing their two week period of mourning. During this time they have only undertaken engagements that are considered appropriate or that cannot be rescheduled, wearing black mourning bands where appropriate. The flags at royal residences are being flown at half mast, except for the royal standard, that flies at whichever residence the monarch is residing at, in this case, Windsor Castle. The royal standard is never flown at half mast, because the monarchy never dies.
The Queen is not receiving her usual red boxes of government papers during mourning, nor passing any legislation, except any that is deemed essential. However, the Queen undertook her first engagement as a widow just 4 days after the death of her husband. She held an audience with her former lord chamberlain, Earl Peel, following his retirement in the previous month. The lord chamberlain is the most senior position in the Queen’s household, and the new lord chamberlain is Lord Parker of Minsmere. The Queen always puts duty first, and in continuing, is complying with what all agree would be the wishes of Prince Philip, who served selflessly all his public life.
The day of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh saw back to back coverage across the BBC and other TV channels in the UK. While this angered some, many saw it as a fitting mark of respect to a man who had served this country and the commonwealth. Many stories unearthed of his extraordinary character, staying true to himself whilst also serving others, putting them first, fulfilling his duty, and going the extra mile in his work. He was an innovator, moderniser of the monarchy but a stalwart supporter of the Queen, his charities and patronages, and the country and wider world. People from all walks of life expressed their grief, and played tribute to the Duke.
Flowers were laid across the UK at royal residences, despite the royal family requesting the public to not do so, in order to imply with covid-19 restrictions. The royal family encouraged people instead to pay tribute by donating to one of the 800 charities and organisations supported by the Duke during his lifetime. I myself wanted to pay my respects by laying flowers, but was prevented by the covid-19 restrictions. I did contribute to the online Book of Condolence created by the royal family on their website.
Tributes flooded in from around the world, including from the President of America and First Lady Joe and Jill Biden, former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama, and the many organisations supported by the Duke. Within the UK, government leaders including Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon, and Arlene Foster paid tributes, as did former leaders, and the likes of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Sir David Attenborough. The depth of the Duke’s character and his impact continued to be painted by these tributes, and I for one was almost overwhelmed at the extraordinary talents and dedication of the Duke.
The military paid their tribute on 10th April with a 41 gun salute, with one sounded every minute, from several places (all in unison) around the UK and the world. These were the Tower of London, Woolwich Barracks (who used the same guns that were used at the Duke’s wedding to the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947, and at the Queen’s coronation in 1953), Edinburgh Castle, Cardiff Castle, Hillsborough Castle, HM Naval Base Portsmouth, the overseas British Territory of Gibraltar (fired by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment), and out at sea from onboard two ships, HMS Diamond and HMS Montrose. The gun salutes were ordered by the armed forces as part of their wider tribute to the Duke, who served in the Royal Navy, including in the Second World War, and held honorary military positions.
The royal family themselves paid tribute to the Duke throughout the days following his death. The Duke of York was seen leaving Windsor Castle on 10th April, as were the Earl and Countess of Wessex. When asked by a reporter how the Queen was doing, through the open car window the Countess, who is very close to her mother-in-law the Queen, said, with tears in her eyes, “the Queen has been amazing.” That, for me, says it all. Her family rallied around the Queen to help her, and process their own loss of a patriarch and family member.
The next day, following a church service at the Chapel Royal, Windsor, the Duke of York spoke to the assembled media, saying it was a, “terrible loss,” and for his mother the Queen it had the effect of, "having left a huge void in her life,” so that the family was, “rallying round,” to support the Queen. Speaking after the same service, the Earl of Wessex said, "It's been a bit of a shock. However much one tries to prepare oneself for something like this it's still a dreadful shock. And we're still trying to come to terms with that. And it's very, very sad." He added, "It just goes to show: he might have been our father, grandfather, father-in-law, but he meant so much to so many other people. As always. But bearing up, and again it's just that wave of affection for him and just those lovely stories."
The Countess of Wessex shared the Duke of Edinburgh’s final moments with the press saying, "It was right for him and, you know, it was so gentle. It was like someone took him by the hand, and then he went. Very, very peaceful and that's all you want for somebody, isn't it?" She added, "So I think it is so much easier for the person that goes than the people who are left behind. We are all sitting here looking at each other going 'this is awful'. But equally, look at all the tributes. It's just amazing." The Duke of York, and Earl and Countess of Wessex, accompanied by Lady Louise Windsor, thanked assembled staff from the Windsor Estate after the church service, to thank them for their work and support of the Duke over the years, who for most of his married life had directly managed the estates at Windsor, Balmoral, and Sandringham. The Duke tried to find ways to make the running of the estates more efficient, and sustainable, and better for the environment, being as he was an advocate for conservation of the natural world.
The Earl of Wessex later acknowledged the tributes shared in relation to his father's legacy of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The Earl took over the running and presentation of Gold DofE Awards from his father when Prince Philip retired. The Earl said, "Reading just some of the wonderful memories you have shared about your experiences of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and, in some cases, of meeting my father, has been truly uplifting. I think I may have said once that he was a man that once met, never forgotten.
"He had a unique ability to make a lasting impression in a remarkably short time. I, like all my family, have a lifetime of lasting impressions, inspiration, shared passions and love. He may have departed this world, but his spirit and ethos lives on through his Award, through each and every life touched, transformed, inspired; then, now and in the future. Thank you one and all for helping to create such an extraordinary tribute." A special DofE memories collection was created online for those who had memories of the DofE Award they wished to share as a tribute to the Duke.
The Prince of Wales gave a live tribute to the press from his home of Highgrove, coming outside to meet the press. He said his, “dear Papa,” had, “given the most remarkable, devoted service to the Queen, to my family and to the country, but also to the whole of the Commonwealth.” The Duke was, he said, a, "very special person who... above all else would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him". The Prince said he and his family were "deeply grateful" for the tributes and reaction of the public, saying, "It will sustain us in this particular loss and at this particularly sad time."
The Princess Royal, who perhaps out of all of the Duke of Edinburgh’s children is the one that people agree is the most similar to her father, released a written message and tribute. Princess Anne said, “You know it’s going to happen but you are never really ready. My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic, but mostly it is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate.
His ability to treat every person as an individual in their own right with their own skills comes through all the organisations with which he was involved. I regard it as an honour and a privilege to have been asked to follow in his footsteps and it has been a pleasure to have kept him in touch with their activities. I know how much he meant to them, in the UK, across the Commonwealth and in the wider world.
I would like to emphasise how much the family appreciate the messages and memories of so many people whose lives he also touched. We will miss him but he leaves a legacy which can inspire us all.”
The Duke of Cambridge followed suit with a written tribute, accompanied by a photo, taken by the Duchess of Cambridge, of Prince Philip in a carriage (Prince Philip was a competitive carriage driver, and it was one of his favourite hobbies), with a young Prince George holding a book. The statement read, “My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family.
I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – both through good times and the hardest days. I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her. I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!
My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support The Queen in the years ahead. I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job.”
Princess Eugenie shared a tribute on her Instagram page in the form of a personal letter to her grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh. I always feel that Eugenie is close to her family and feels that as she is not a senior royal, she can be more informal in the way she talks about her family, especially her grandparents. She wrote, "Dearest Grandpa,
"We all miss you.
“You would be so touched by all the tributes that have been shared with me the past few days.
“People remember sitting next to you at a dinner, or shaking your hand once, who remember you saying hello in passing, or remember how much their DofE award meant to them.”
“I remember learning how to cook, how to paint, what to read. I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the navy.
“I remember incinerating the sausages and you swooping in to save the day.
"I remember your hands and your laugh and your favourite beer.
“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”.
Lastly, the Duke of Sussex, who has flown over from his home in the USA for the funeral of his grandfather, said, "He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm - and also because you never knew what he might say next.
He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the monarch, a decorated serviceman, a prince and a duke.
But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right 'til the end."
All of these statements, tributes and interviews point to a husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather at the centre of his family. The Duke of Edinburgh was close to his family, in both their private lives and public role. I think he seems to have been someone who pushed others he loved to achieve, but also was there to listen, offer advice, and have fun.
I continue to pray for, and think of, the Queen, royal family, and others, who are mourning the loss of Prince Philip. I pray we may all learn from his example, and be inspired to live lives of selfless devotion to others.