Pain of loss etched on Charles’ face
MOURNERS from all over the world brought Prince Charles close to tears yesterday as he reflected on the huge sea of flowers sent with love for his late father.
Charles looked visibly moved when he went with wife Camilla to see the bouquets and bunches which had been left for Prince Philip outside Buckingham Palace and other royal residences across the capital.
And there were thousands of them – along with heartfelt messages.
The Palace had been worried about crowds gathering to look at floral tributes during the coronavirus pandemic, so had asked the public to make contributions to charity instead.
But many took no notice, preferring to say how they felt about Prince Philip in the traditional way – with flowers.And the bouquets just kept coming.
At Windsor, staff have been moving the ones left at the 950-year-old castle to outside St George’s Chapel, where the Duke’s funeral will be held tomorrow.
In London, Royal Parks staff moved them to Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth and its secretariat, close to Clarence House.
They were all laid out in the garden for the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall to see.
There were many moving messages of condolence for the couple to read. One tribute came in the shape of a model Land Rover, like the one that will bear Philip’s coffin tomorrow, with the words “The Duke R.I.P” written on the roof.
A card next to it from “Marian & Marum” said: “Your memory will never fade.”
One message read: “HRH A True Gentleman. Thank you for your devoted service to our country.We shall miss you.”
And another said: “Words cannot even begin to express our sorrow.”
Other messages were intended for the Queen, now grieving for her husband of 73 years.
One said: “Sending our love and condolences on
the loss of your beloved Prince Philip.” Another read: “We are so sorry for your profound loss. Your Majesty’s “strength and stay” will endure in our hearts always.” The written and floral tributes had flooded in from far and wide. One card said: “Wishing Your Majesty peace in the days ahead and sending our deepest condolences. “Yours sincerely, The Kohler Family, Annapolis, Maryland USA.” Prince Charles has revealed the Royal Family have been comforted by the huge public outpouring of support.
He said in a video message: “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.”
Marlborough House is a fitting resting place for the flowers, given Prince Philip’s long association with the club of 54 member states, almost all of which were former territories of the British Empire.
During his years of dedicated public duty and service, he made 229 solo trips to Commonwealth countries and many more visits with the Queen. He also made two round-the-world voyages on HMY Britannia, visiting some of the remotest parts of the Commonwealth as the Queen’s representative.
But the Duke, who died last Friday, two months short of his 100th birthday, always had time for his Queen and country.
That fact was celebrated yesterday by the head of the Royal Marines.
The Duke was their Captain General for 64 years until 2017 and Major General Matt Holmes, the Commandant General said it as a “long and happy association”.
He added: “We were utterly privileged and honoured to enjoy his company on numerous occasions. He gave his support to the corps and often visited us.
“We had numerous encounters, and I think that was the beauty of his service with us. He was always generous with his time.”