Friday 9 April 2021

The Duke of Edinburgh Passed Away Peacefully This Morning

With "deep sorrow", Her Majesty announced the death of her "strength and stay" Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. I know you'll all join me in sending deepest condolences to the Queen, the entire family and all who are mourning today.

The Palace will release details in due course. A friend shared this photo with me whilst Philip was in hospital. So often, with those in the public eye and members of the Royal family, we discuss what they mean to the world, the significance of their roles. Behind closed doors, this image exemplifies the Queen and the Duke at their happiest, soaking up the outdoors in Balmoral, enjoying time as a family and making memories with their beloved grandchildren.

The College of Arms shared details on plans for the funeral which will take place at St George's Chapel. "The funeral will not be a State Funeral and will not be preceded by a Lying-in-State. His Royal Highness’s body will lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George’s Chapel. This is in line with custom and with His Royal Highness’s wishes. The funeral arrangements have been revised in view of the prevailing circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and it is regretfully requested that members of the public do not attempt to attend or participate in any of the events that make up the funeral."

The Archewell website has been updated to pay tribute. 

Among a sea of tributes flooding in today, the Archbishop of Canterbury said, "I was always struck by his obvious joy at life, his enquiring mind and his ability to communicate to people from every background and walk of life. He was a master at putting people at ease and making them feel special. The legacy he leaves is enormous".

An online book of condolence is available here.

23 comments:

  1. Heartbreaking. I am sure Prince Harry will fly in for the funeral. My condolences to the royal family especially to Her Majesty. He will be missed I always loved his sense of humor. A sad day for the UK and its commonwealth

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    1. Perhaps not - Covid restrictions only 30 people allowed at the funeral and he would require 10 days isolation in the UK. It would not be good optics for a special exemption. I imagine the service will be zoomed or whatever for the many people who can't attend with the restrictions. I presume because of his age Harry would not be vaccinated yet. My assumption is that there might be a bigger memorial service down the track and that Harry would attend that if his immediate family responsibilities allow. He will have two children to care for by then.

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    2. I think Harry will make it. I believe PP's death was foreseen by at least a day, and Harry may already be in the UK. If he has to depend on palace staff, it could be very difficult. I hope he finds some friends there, maybe Eugenie, Bea, and Zara. Funerals can bring out the best and the worst in people. I very much doubt Meghan will go, which makes it both easier and harder for Harry.

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    3. Libby, there also is a test and release scheme in the UK that allows people who test negative to stop self-isolation after 5 days. Plus a 'compassion' exemption from self isolation. Let's not start assuming people break the rules or receive special rules, without first knowing what the relevant framework is.

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  2. If I already commented, I apologize for the duplication. I am so sad for the Queen, now that I have learned more about her life. I hope COVID restrictions don't keep Harry from going to the funeral. The age of 99 makes this not completely unexpected, but it's still a surprise. Just think of all the changes in the world he has experienced. I had so hoped he would be well for at least a few years after his latest hospitalization. Very very sad.

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  3. Sincere condolences to the entire family. May the Duke of Edinburgh Awards continue strong under the leadership and Prince Edward and on from there...it's a marvelous idea and needed now more than ever.
    Thank you, Charlotte, for sharing that wonderful photo of Their Royal Highnesses with the four oldest grandchildren. I'd never seen that one before.

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  5. I've already seem one headline laying the blame for his death on Meghan, that the "stress" of their interview was detrimental to his health and recovery. It makes me so angry!!!

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    1. It’s unbelievable cruel. I will say looking back the worst headlines and news about them definitely came from US newsgroup. Half of Oprah’s headlines and this disgusting comment (Fox) were from US outlets. I hope they will sue in the US again, but I think the law of different here and they probably have no chance.

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  6. My heart breaks for the Queen.

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  7. May he Rest In Peace and may his family find comfort in the memories of him and the love that they shared 🙏❤️

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  8. So sorry to hear this. Condolences to all who mourn. He will be missed. Obama's tribute told of how skilled Prince Phillip was at putting him and Michelle at ease -- one of his great gifts and contributions.

    R

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  9. Sheryl from BC Canada10 April 2021 at 01:44

    Rest in Peace Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. A life of service, well done.

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  10. It is such a hard thing to lose a loved one. My husband passed away 6 months ago. My sincere condolences to all Prince Philip's family members.

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    1. Thinking of you, too, in your grief, Marci Andy. Losing a loved one at any age and for any reason had its own exquisite form of grief. Healing thoughts to all who are grieving.


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    2. Sorry for your loss, Marci xx

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  11. My condolences to everybody mourning the Duke of Edinburgh. As probably his passing didn't come unexpected, I assume Harry could be in quarantine at home for the past days/weeks. So he'll be able to attend the funeral.

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  12. My deepest condolences to the queen and the royal family I love the thing. Harry the Duke sussex will part of the public funeral

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  13. Harry in the middle there, with his little kilt on! He looks so cute!
    Poor Lilibet, she's lost her rock.

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  14. I'm glad to read that Harry is in the UK today. And I am glad Meghan did not go. She needs to stay home and take care of Archie and Baby Sussex. It will be easier for Harry to move around by himself. I wondered if he will stay with Eugenie -- he will be an easier houseguest than if new mom Eugenie had to host the whole family. I'm sure Meghan thought of that, especially as she was friends with Eugenie before meeting Harry. I never wrote this but it's lovely that Eugenie is living at Frogmore -- what a perfect resolution. And the media attention of Meghan in the UK would not be welcome when Prince Phillip is the focus. Looking back on the interview, it sounds like Harry had some good zooms with his grandparents, and since it seems to be hard to get on the royals' schedule, that is an excellent memory for him. At least they were interested in seeing Archie. I assume Harry will get to see the Queen at some point, and the relatives who care about him, so it sounds like a sad but "move on" kind of experience.

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    1. How is he going to live with Eugenie and her newborn if he has to isolate himself?

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    2. I don't know if this is accurate but I did read that Harry was staying at Knot Cottage.

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  15. What I enjoyed about that last photo that you shared Charlotte is the fact - and I never realized this before - that their first 4 grandchildren mimic their children. Boy, Girl, Boy, then Boy. I'm wondering if there is a similar photo of Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward.

    Sincere condolences to the entire family. The stories that everyone has shared are wonderful to hear.

    Elle

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