In a selection of photos in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge shared an informal photo taken at Balmoral in 2015 with
the Queen and Prince Philip. It's a peek into the family with a lovely moment
captured between the Queen and Baby Charlotte.
Of course, Balmoral was incredibly special to the Duke. Princess Eugenie said
several years ago, "It’s a lovely base for Granny and Grandpa, for us to come
and see them up there; where you just have room to breathe and run." I would
wager some of the most personal and candid images of the family are these. One
such image, taken by the Duchess of Cambridge at Balmoral in 2018, is a lovely
photo of the Queen and Prince Philip with seven of their great-grandchildren:
Prince George, Prince Louis in the Queen's arms, Princess Charlotte, Savannah
Phillips, and beside Philip, Isla Phillips holding Lena Tindall beside big
sister Mia Tindall.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall shared two photos "remembering
The Duke of Edinburgh as a much-loved Father and Father-in-Law".
Remembering The Duke of Edinburgh as a much-loved Father and
Father-in-Law.
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse)
April 14, 2021
Buckingham Palace shared a sweet photo of Prince Philip with Prince Harry from
Trooping the Colour.
And a touching tribute shared by Princess Eugenie on her Instagram account:
"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."
The Telegraph reports the Cambridges have been at their Norfolk home, Anmer
Hall, for Easter break since holidays began at the end of March. It's
understood they will return to KP at the end of this week ahead of the Duke's
funeral on Saturday.
Amid a sea of tributes to the Duke of Edinburgh, we've seen world leaders,
royals from all over the world, and those who enjoyed encounters with the Duke
over a lifetime of service recall fond memories spanning decades. The most
poignant words have come from the family who knew him best and will miss him
most dearly. Today, Prince William shared a statement on behalf of the
Cambridge family with a lovely family photo of Philip out for a carriage ride
with Prince George. It was taken by the Duchess in Norfolk in 2015.
William wrote: "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."
As talk turns to the Duke's impressive legacy, the Duke of Edinburgh Award
comes to mind immediately. From small beginnings in 1956, the 'D of E',
as it is commonly known, was launched. It was at first "for boys" aged 15 to
18. In the beginning it was administered and largely designed by John Hunt,
who had led the first successful climb of Everest in 1953, and had retired
from the army to run the Duke of Edinburgh Award. It was designed to attract
boys who had not been interested in joining one of the main British youth
movements, such as the Scout Association. It was not necessary to 'join' any
organisation or wear a uniform to participate. In the first 12 months, 7,000
boys had enrolled for the scheme. The programme borrowed from the Moray Badge,
instituted at Gordonstoun School by its headmaster, Kurt Hahn, in 1936, and
the County Badge adopted in Moray in 1941. In November 1957, it was announced
that girls would be invited to participate. On 19 June 1958, the award was
extended to girls, with the first girls joining from 1 September 1958. The
programme for girls was not the same as that for boys, and was for ages 14 to
20. The first girls received their Gold Awards on 3 November 1959 at
Buckingham Palace. From January 1965, the Gold Award for boys and girls was
made more similar. The first Gold Awards were achieved in 1958, and the
charity was established in 1959. A single programme for young people aged 14
to 21 was launched in 1969, and extended to those up to 25 years of age in
1980. Participants in the programme can share memories on the
Duke of Edinburgh Award website.
Indeed, the Duchess of Cambridge achieved her own gold Duke of Edinburgh Award
during her time at Marlborough. It reportedly involved a four-day hike.
Footage of Kate speaking about the experience featured in a 2016 documentary
marking the 60th anniversary of the award. Kate recalled hiking in the
pouring rain: ""I can remember trying to cook bacon in the soaking wet.
Everything was just sopping and I was trying and trying to cook bacon. I
remember saying you know what, I think we're just going to have plain
sandwiches. Bread, basic bread and butter."
The Duchess will one day follow in Philip's footsteps as consort, a topic the
two will have undoubtedly discussed over the years. Below, one of my favourite
photos of Kate with the Duke.
In a moving tribute, Prince Charles, who is expected to deliver the eulogy for
his father, said, "I particularly wanted to say that my father, for I suppose
the last 70 years, has given the most remarkable, devoted service to The
Queen, to my family and to the country, but also to the whole of the
Commonwealth. As you can imagine, my family and I miss my father enormously.
He was a much loved and appreciated figure and apart from anything else, I can
imagine, he would be so deeply touched by the number of other people here and
elsewhere around the world and the Commonwealth, who also I think, share our
loss and our sorrow. My dear Papa was a very special person who I think above
all else would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that
have been said about him and from that point of view we are, my family, deeply
grateful for all that. It will sustain us in this particular loss and at this
particularly sad time. Thank you."
Princess Anne described her father's importance in her life: "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."
Reflecting on the loss after service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints,
Windsor on Sunday, the Countess of Wessex spoke eloquently on the Duke's
passing: "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 peaceful and that's all
you want for somebody, isn't it? 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'". Prince Edward 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."
And today, Prince Harry, who is currently at Frogmore Cottage, shared
heartfelt words: "My grandfather was a man of service, honour and great
humour. 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 till the end. He has been a rock for Her Majesty The Queen
with unparalleled devotion, by her side for 73 years of marriage, and while I
could go on, I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand,
‘Oh do get on with it!’ So, on that note, Grandpa, thank you for your service,
your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself. You will be sorely
missed, but always remembered—by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie, and
I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special
place for you in our hearts." Harry closed with ‘Per Mare, Per Terram’ the
motto of the Royal Marines and Latin for "By sea, by land."
Buckingham Palace confirmed the Duke's funeral will take place on Saturday at
3pm in St George’s Chapel, Windsor. It will be televised and will begin with a
National Minute’s Silence at three o’clock. In line with government guidance,
only 30 guests will be present at the funeral. The plans are very much in
keeping with Philip's own wishes for a low-key funeral (including Philip's
decision his body be carried in a purpose built coffin). The Palace noted, "It
will be a Ceremonial Royal Funeral, the same as for Queen Elizabeth The Queen
Mother, rather than a State Funeral – something which is generally reserved
for monarchs."
The full plans from Buckingham Palace:
'The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with His Royal Highness’s
Personal Standard and dressed with a wreath of flowers, will rest
initially in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle, where it will remain
until the day of the Funeral.
On Saturday 17th April, The Duke of Edinburgh's coffin will be moved by a
Bearer Party found by The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
Positioned in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle will be representative
detachments drawn from His Royal Highness’s military special
relationships.
His Royal Highness’s coffin will be carried in a purpose-built Land Rover
- which The Duke was involved in the design of - flanked by military Pall
Bearers, in a small Ceremonial Procession from the State Entrance to St
George’s Chapel, for the Funeral Service. Members of the Royal Family and
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Household will walk behind the coffin from the
Quadrangle, down Chapel Hill and into Horseshoe Cloister. The Funeral
Service will begin with a National Minute’s Silence at 1500hrs.
The Funeral Service will be attended by Her Majesty The Queen and Members
of the Royal Family. The coffin, carried by a Bearer Party found by the
Royal Marines, will be received at the top of the West Steps of St
George’s Chapel by the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Naval Cap and Sword will be placed on the coffin
ahead of the service and His Royal Highness’s Insignia will be laid on the
Altar of the Chapel. At the conclusion of the service, His Royal Highness
will be interred in the Royal Vault in St George’s Chapel.'
A ten-minute overview of the Duke's life; he was the longest serving royal
consort in British History.
Among a plethora of memorable stories and meetings, I thought I would close
the post by sharing one particularly moving recollection (with thanks to West
Wing Reports). In November 1963, Prince Philip flew to the United States for
President John F. Kennedy's funeral. Whilst looking for her son John, Jackie
Kennedy opened the door to his playroom and found Philip "sprawled on the
floor", "laughing and playing". The almost three-year-old John had been upset
earlier in the day because he didn't have anyone to play with and was looking
for his father. Philip decided the best thing he could do was to be there for
John. Two years later Philip held John's hand at a memorial for the
president.
3/ ...in May 1965, the British government gave an acre of land to the United States for a memorial to the murdered president at Runnymede - site, 750 years earlier, of King John signing the Magna Carta. Here, John Jr. holds hands with his Mom and the Prince pic.twitter.com/0dYzzurTcd
— West Wing Reports (edited by Paul Brandus) (@WestWingReport) April 9, 2021
Just two years before JFK died, the Queen and the Duke hosted the President
and First Lady at Buckingham Palace.
In 1997, when William and Harry were reeling from the loss of their mother,
Philip took the boys under his wing, spending time in the Highlands at
Balmoral. Tina Brown later wrote, "A member of the Balmoral staff noted that
Prince Philip, who had effectively lost his own mother at the age of ten when
she was committed for three years to an asylum in Switzerland, was brilliantly
effective with his grandsons, offering them gruff tenderness and outdoor
activities like stalking and hiking to tire them out." When the time came to
walk behind their mother's coffin, something that was deeply difficult for
both brothers and is said to trouble them to this day, Philip said to them,
"I'll walk if you walk."
