Duke’s dedication to duty

In reflecting on HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s remarkable life, and the strong bond he forged with Kiwis during his more than a dozen visits here as well as through his many hundreds of patronages, it is impossible not to be awestruck by the duke’s incredible dedication to duty and commitment to serving the Crown and Commonwealth.

He was, in many ways ahead of his time, he began talking about environmental conservation long before it became a popular cause and was a strong supporter of New Zealand’s many conservation initiatives.

He helped to found the World Wildlife Fund and later served as its president for some 15 years.

In 1970 he told world leaders that it is “totally useless for a lot of well-meaning people to wring their hands in conference and to point out the dangers of pollution or the destruction of the countryside if no one is willing or capable of taking any action”.

Never content to sit back when there was work to be done HRH continued his tireless conservation work well into his nineties.

As well as having a distinguished naval career, the duke, ever the innovator, threw himself into modernising the monarchy and ensuring it remained relevant in the modern world - he succeeded as it remains an almost universally popular institution (a 2020 poll found only 20 per cent of Kiwis favour becoming a Republic).

The duke was ‘The People’s Prince’. His wit, kindness, humour and tireless service won the hearts of generations of people throughout the world, including the people of Waipa who saw his warmth and charm firsthand when he and the Queen visited Te

Awamutu and Cambridge in 1954.

His charismatic personality shone brightly during his many visits to New Zealand and helped to endear him to Kiwis far and wide.

I have no doubt that the duke will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to Her Majesty and the royal family at this deeply sad time.

Luke East