Nation says farewell to Philip
With social-distancing restrictions still in force across the country, people and organisations with a close connection to the Duke of Edinburgh paid their respects with small but meaningful tributes.
The crowds that would normally have been expected on the day of a royal funeral had been asked not to travel to Windsor Castle or other royal residences.
However, although many members of the public marked the national minute’s silence at 3pm (local time), in private, others were expected to be driving carriages in remembrance of the committed practitioner of the sport, releasing racing pigeons and dedicating awards.
There were also to be outdoor pub celebrations, and the closures of some independent shops. Larger retail chains planned to remain open. Some bus companies had said that drivers, if they could do so safely, would pull over to mark the minute’s silence.
Andrew Counsell, chairman of the British Carriagedriving Council, said that some practitioners of one of Prince Philip’s favourite pastimes were planning to go on a drive with their horses. ‘‘I know of a number of groups who intend to do that to mark the occasion and have a time of reflection,’’ he said.
Philip had been involved with the sport of driving trials from its inception and was instrumental in creating the first set of international rules in 1968.
Three years later he introduced international carriage driving to the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Counsell said the sport’s organising body was looking to establish an annual bursary in the duke’s name. ‘‘The duke, bless him, had a tremendous affinity with young drivers and new drivers so we thought we could create a bursary every year for a young driver,’’ he said.
The British Gliding Association, of which Philip was patron, said that its members were being asked to mark the minute’s silence on the first weekend that its 80 gliding clubs have been able to open since December. Pete Stratton, the association’s chief executive, said: ‘‘His Royal Highness was our patron for more than 60
years and amazingly he showed an active interest. How he found the time I don’t know.’’
The Freemasons, of which Philip had been a member since 1952, started a campaign inviting the organisation’s 200,000 members to raise funds for charities he supported.
Fields in Trust, a green spaces charity that he was president of for more than 60 years, has urged the public to visit green spaces this weekend to ‘‘reflect and appreciate’’ him. However, the Royal Horticultural Society has said that its gardens would be closed today out of respect.
The Duke of Edinburgh pub in Winkfield, about 8km from Windsor Castle, has decorated tents with pictures of its namesake and planned to raise a
toast after the funeral has been broadcast on outdoor television screens.
‘‘In normal times, at celebrations like the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and when Kate and Wills got married, we sent out an invitation to all the neighbours inviting them to celebrate with us,’’ Annie Andrews, 65, the landlady, said. ‘‘But with limited space, we can’t do it on such a big level.’’
However, because it is their first weekend open to customers outside since lockdown restrictions were eased, most of their tables had been booked. Nevertheless, Andrews said that two tents in the garden had been ‘‘decked out with Union Jack bunting’’, alongside pictures of the prince. It includes one of him tipping his bowler hat, alongside a picture taken from behind. ‘‘It’s a ‘hello, goodbye’ sort of thing,’’ she explained.
Yesterday, small numbers of mourners had travelled to the castle to pay their respects. Some who left tributes by the gates appeared to be from overseas, with several flags from the Philippines laid down.
Anthony Joseph, 61, a former royal butler, was among those paying respects. He had looked after the Queen and her guests in their enclosure at Royal Ascot on numerous occasions and met the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke of York.
‘‘It was the most honourable thing I’ve done in my life,’’ he said.
‘‘I met the Queen away from the cameras and she is even kinder.’’ Referring to the prince, he added: ‘‘When someone is 99 and they’ve done so much for their country, it should be a joyous occasion.’’
Anne Daley, 61, who had travelled from Cardiff, said that she had grown up with the Queen because her father, a soldier, had guarded her. ‘‘One moment I feel happy when you see the wonderful memories of the Queen and the duke and the next minute I feel tearful and sad,’’ she said.
Stewards and police officers discouraged people from congregating in crowds but some mourners laid flowers, notes and cards at the castle gates.
Racing pigeons from the royal loft at Sandringham and at Windsor were to join birds from more than 30 other cities taking to the skies as the Royal Pigeon Racing Association organised a national liberation to mark the funeral.