Letter sent to the Queen by MP
I wanted to write to offer Your Majesty my deep condolences at the passing of HRH, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, on behalf of the residents of the Loughborough constituency.
The Duke of Edinburgh has served as an inspiration to us all; a dedicated and committed member of the Royal Family who devoted his life to the service of this country and of the Commonwealth. The Duke served in the military during the Second World War as well as being a fulltime member of the Royal Family, something which he only stepped down from in 2017. The Duke completed 22,219 solo events and public meetings since 1952, which is a remarkable achievement. Even in his 99th year, the Duke was still active, appearing in public at Windsor Castle at the official handover of his position as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
I am also struck by the Duke’s dedication to conservation, advocating for the protection of species and habitats long before the cause was fashionable. The Duke’s work with the World Wide Fund for Nature (formally the World Wildlife Fund) is to be commended, having the been President for many years. Arguably the Duke’s greatest legacy is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which has inspired so many and has helped millions of young people, including here in Loughborough, to develop skills and to achieve great things. The transformative nature of the Awards is something that will endure and will be a lasting legacy.
This past weekend I have seen many flags at half-mast throughout the constituency in memory of the Duke. The fond affection with which the Duke is held here in Loughborough is deep and I know he will be greatly missed both here and around the country.
In 1997, Your Majesty told an audience that we owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know. Today, as I write this letter, I think that these words are as relevant as ever and that the people of the United Kingdom are in agreement.
I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Majesty’s humble and obedient servant.
Jane Hunt MP