R.I.P. HRH The Prince Philip!

Today, like the rest of the World, I heard the devastating news, that HM The Queen's husband, Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, had passed peacefully away at home in Windsor Castle. This is undoubtedly heartbreaking news for Queen Elizabeth and members of the royal family. Prince Philip was the constant in Her Majesties life, indeed, all our lives; most of us know him as the formidable Duke, who was never afraid to speak his mind and make his opinions clear. He was a character like no other and will be sadly missed by a grateful nation for the service he gave!

Prince Philip's contribution to public life, both here and abroad, is without question. He forged a new role within the royal institution and became the linchpin that galvanised his family, through many twists and turns over the years. His 'Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme' took a lead in helping generations of young adults, as they wrestled with their own insecurities and circumstances, a world away from the life of privilege he personally enjoyed. The Duke's active, hands-on approach, won the hearts and minds of all those he sought to encourage and will remain his enduring epitaph, as his contribution to public life is defined.

Along with The Queen, the Duke helped shape the new Commonwealth of Nations, as Britain redefined its new place in the World. As Consort, he supported his wife, as she navigated this new era of change, celebrating diversity and giving a voice to countries, who otherwise would have had none. Together with his passion for wildlife conservation and the natural World, Prince Philip left an incalculable footprint on the planet.

Originally a Prince of Greece and Denmark, Philip, separated from his own family, attended school in Britain, where he met the Queen. A capable serviceman he joined the Royal Navy in 1939 as a Cadet. In 1941 the Duke was mentioned in dispatches after the Battle of Matapan and was later awarded the Greek War Cross of Valour. After a distinguished naval career, he retired in 1951, due to the failing health of King George VI.  Shortly afterwards, he accepted his new enduring role as the recently crowned Queen's husband, a position he employed with gusto, in his own inimitable way.

The Duke of Edinburgh's death, marks a milestone in the life of our nation. The modernising Prince, feared by Palace officials and detractors alike, has passed quietly into the history books. He has left an indelible mark on this country, its people and to those he knew and loved personally. At this time of upheaval, with the pandemic still raging across the World, reflecting on a life of public service is a reminder that all of us can achieve our ambitions and aspirations, given the opportunities he tried to promote. Prince Philip will remain an innovator and pioneer and despite his frequent impropriety and occasional indiscretion, he will always remain in the hearts of all of us, who understand the far-reaching legacy he leaves behind.

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