FROM THE EDITOR

The passing of Prince Philip is terribly sad, not only for our Queen, who has loved him since she was just 13 years old, but also for people around the world. His commitment to duty and championing of conservation is admirable.

He was patron to nearly

800 organisations, played an important role in creating the World Wildlife Fund and also established the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which more than eight million young people have participated in worldwide.

The 99-year-old has given so much and will be sorely missed by so many, but it is his enduring devotion to his wife, Lilibet, that is so touching. A private secretary once shared, “He told me the first day he offered me my job that his job, first, second and third, was to never let her down.”

And when they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1997, Her

Majesty said, “He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments, but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and

I and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”

COVID restrictions mean that he will have a small, private funeral, which is fitting as this is exactly what he would have wanted. And thinking of how tumultuous things have been in the royal family in recent years, as well as a global pandemic, it feels particularly poignant that he was able to spend so much time with his beloved because of lockdown restrictions.

It must have been of some comfort to the Queen that her husband was at home when he passed, after recently spending a month in hospital.

May he rest in peace.