ROBERT CONNELLY

THE TORY VIEW

WRITING this column less than 24 hours after the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Prince Philip, I have been struck by the tributes that have been paid to him from renowned figures around the world.

From President Obama remarking on his “sharp wit and unfailing good humour” to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison who stated that Prince Philip “embodied a generation that we will never see again.”

In the UK condolences and well wishes from the figures across the political spectrum were also accompanied by a swift suspension of campaigning activity for May’s elections to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and across England.

That is a testament to the Duke’s character that everyone was easily able to put aside their differences to join Her Majesty and all of the Royal of the Family to share their grief and pay our respects.

Many families in Glasgow and across the United Kingdom will be grieving for a man who, although they are likely not to have known him personally or even met him, represented a sense of stability and familiarity to so many of us. And after the past year in which the country has suffered unimaginable loss as a result of Covid, we unite in empathy for The Queen who has lost her source of strength and endurance over seven decades of marriage, most of which have been spent on the throne.

Over the course of the tens of thousands of engagements that Prince Philip dutifully conducted on behalf of Queen and country, he was an example to all of us of a life led in pursuit of public service and of the unfailing support we can all seek to offer to the loved ones in our lives.

He was a witness to the history

I was taught in school only a few years ago – from revolution and conflict to progress and modernity.

We talk a lot in this country about our sacrifices during World War 2 in the battle against Nazi fascism, and Prince Philip was amongst that greatest generation who personified that dutiful sacrifice with his service in the Royal Navy.

And in the aftermath of the Second World War, Prince Philip sought to use his position to help causes that are dear to all our hearts.

First established in 1956, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme has been credited with transforming the lives of millions of young people – providing them with a sense of purpose and achievement.

Described as a “do-it-yourself growing-up kit” by the man himself, the scheme is designed to encourage personal discovery, self-reliance, commitment, responsibility and service to the community.

The Duke was also a co-founder and the first president of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) from its foundation in 1961 to 1982.

The WWF was created to secure the funding necessary to protect places and species that were threatened by human development.

Her Majesty described Prince Philip as her “constant strength and guide” over the course of their marriage which lasted for over 70 years.

He represented a sense of strength and purpose to our nation and many will be continuing to mourn for him in the days ahead.

May he rest in peace and my thoughts are with Her Majesty.