His guiding hand will be missed for years to come

IN THE end it could not have been a more fitting farewell, and just what he would have wanted – a small group of his closest family surrounding the coffin, the wider world watching from a distance.

No fuss, if you overlook the sideshow featuring Harry andwilliam, and comparatively few frills.

This modest departure of Prince Philip from the world stage neatly echoed the simplicity of his birth on a humble dining table in Corfu. But the near-century that separated these two events he filled with deeds and good works that will last in memory at least as long again.

Many of his admirers would have preferred a full state funeral to celebrate this lifelong achievement but Philip decreed he wanted nothing more than a service atwindsor – though even he couldn’t have predicted how minimalist his farewell yesterday would be.

The long goodbye began nine days ago when, “with the sun on his face and a rug over his knees”, as it was so eloquently described, Philip cut the painter and sailed off to join his Royal Navy chums in that great battleship in the sky.

The colossal outpouring of affection in the days which followed would, perhaps, have surprised the Prince, who sometimes wondered whether people truly appreciated his brusque, sea-dog’s approach to life. But though he tried hard to appear unsentimental and to-the-point, people long ago cottoned on to the fact there was something more complex and intriguing just beneath the surface.

Through the past week we’ve come to see that other side of him; through the tears of his son Charles, and through the cherished photographs the Duchess of Cambridge took of him with his loving greatgrandchildren at his knee.

This scene so eloquently reveals his tender side; a tenderness that he took care to shield from the outside world but which was there in spades for those who needed it. His kindly letters to Princess Diana, also revealed in the past few days, show just how understanding he was of the plight of other incomers caught up in the royal spider’s web.

And the photographs of Philip with the Queen, reprinted again, show the extraordinary bond of affection which held this couple together for decades.

Yes, Philip might have liked a full military funeral as one last hurrah, with family members resplendent in glittering uniforms. But on the other hand he was always a man for keeping things simple, and yesterday’s pared-down ceremony will have earned an approving nod from the Iron Duke.

People were urged to stay away from Windsor but still they came, and others, watching events unfold on television, were there in spirit – and could be counted in their millions worldwide.

One of the most fascinating facts to emerge over the past week is that it’s estimated that Philip met, or shook hands with, over 20 per cent of the population since he entered public life in 1947. Add to that the hundreds of thousands of grateful participants in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, spread over 140 countries, to whom he has given hope and support.

These people – challenged to serve their communities and learn outside the classroom – feel a strong bond of loyalty to Philip. One couple of my acquaintance fell in love with each other on the Dofe awards scheme. Philip learnt this while presenting them with their gold medals at Buckingham Palace, and blessed their forthcoming marriage – a moving private moment he was often capable of, but wouldn’t want you knowing about.

The list of organisations, military and civilian, of which he was titular head or patron, is endless – but to each he gave time, thought, and his own no-nonsense personal input.they too will have felt the breaking of a personal link and sense of loss, witnessing yesterday’s ceremony at arm’s length on TV, prevented from showing their gratitude by turning up atwindsor.

A precious few outside the immediate family were able to pay their respects, although the 800 military personnel involved reflected the esteem with which he was held in military circles.

Sergeant Jamie Ritchie, of the Royal Marines, was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, and in honour of his service there was presented with a campaign medal by Philip, the Marines’ Captain General for 64 years, on his return. “It was a nice, personal touch to receive that from him,” Ritchie said.

And yesterday, as Sergeant Bugler Ritchie, he repaid that personal touch by sounding the starkly emotional Last Post at the ceremony, proudly wearing the medal Philip had given him.

Indeed, wherever you look, the legacy the Prince leaves behind is one of strength through personal connection – he believed in constantly meeting people, pressing the flesh and taking command of the situation. His contribution to the lasting power of the monarchy through following this simple rule is immense; the ceremony yesterday a reminder of why the Royal Family still means so very much to the nation.

Yesterday, we weren’t all able to be there to say our goodbyes. But, Sir, you are missed – and will be missed long, long into the future.

‘Millions were there in spirit’