‘It’s a huge loss, but we can’t be too sad. He left a lasting legacy’
MONARCHIST PRAISES DUKE’S WORK
A Record-breaking monarchist who owns the world’s largest collection of royal memorabilia has spoken of the “huge loss” to the monarchy after the death of Prince Philip.
Anita Atkinson, has more than 12,000 items of royal memorabilia and has set up a museum on her farm in Crook, County Durham.
The 64-year-old’s passion for the Royal Family stretches over five decades, but due to Covid restrictions, she was unable to attend Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle yesterday to pay her respects at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
Anita said thousands of people would have lined the streets to pay their respects to the 99-year-old had coronavirus restrictions not been in place.
Anita is no stranger to landmark events surrounding the Royal Family whether it’s a wedding, funeral or jubilee celebration.
In the past she has camped out for days to get a good spot on the procession route while fully decked out in Union Jack clothing and memorabilia.
She met the Duke of Edinburgh when he was on a walkabout for the Queen’s 80th, with Philip then bringing his wife over to talk to her.
Anita said she was left shocked at the news of Philip’s passing but praised his hard work for the monarchy.
“He left added.
“There aren’t proper words to describe his contribution to this country’s welfare and other countries around the Commonwealth.
“For anybody under 70, Prince Philip has been there throughout their whole lives and I feel that I’ve lost him.
a
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“It’s a huge loss but we can’t be too sad because he did over and above what anyone expected. Prince Philip deserves a state funeral.”
An online bidding war for Prince Philip memorabilia has sparked online since his death last Friday, but Anita insists she won’t be selling any of her limited edition books, cups, plates and posters of the former prince.
She said: “With Prince Philip I didn’t get that much memorabilia of just him on his own.
“I have a 60th birthday Wedgwood jewellery dish, and things from his 70th and 80th birthdays.”
An online fundraiser, set up by Anita, has raised over £100 in aid of the British Heart Foundation and a personal book of condolence has received dozens of signatures.
You can leave tributes to Prince Philip in our online book of condolence at https://www.princephilipcondolences.co.uk/