Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Prince Philip in the West
PEOPLE and organisations across the West yesterday saluted the service and dedication of the Duke of Edinburgh after his death at the age of 99.
He was a frequent visitor to the region during his 74 years of marriage to The Queen.
On hundreds of official visits – both alone and as consort to his wife – he brought smiles to countless thousands in the West Country as they got a brief chance of getting close to the royal family.
He was patron of scores of charities across the region and inspired tens of thousands of young people through the Duke of Edinburgh educational scheme.
Always quick with a joke – not to say the occasional gaffe – he made each and every visit special to those for whom it might be a once-in-alifetime brush with royalty.
Duty took him to embark on visits to almost every conceivable part of the West during his working life.
But there were certain visits that he always particularly relished.
As a countryman and conservationist he was particularly interested in the region’s natural landscapes.
His own service with the Royal Navy and his extensive military connections meant he took every chance he could to visit Armed Forces personnel in the West.
As Captain General of the Royal Marines for an incredible 64 years he took a particularly close interest in those who wore the famous green beret.
He made numerous visits to Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton to visit 40 Commando and to Lympstone in Devon to watch trainee commandos be put through their paces.
Yesterday the Royal Marines Charity said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of His Royal
Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh KG.
“His Royal Highness has given extraordinary service with dedication, energy, colour and sharp wit to his Queen, Commonwealth, country and Corps.”
His own military service began in the West, as a Naval cadet at Dartmouth in Devon.
It was there as an 18-year-old cadet he first met his future wife, the then 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth.
They were pictured playing croquet together and after Prince Philip’s wartime service their romance blossomed.
Like his wife the Duke of Edinburgh was a passionate supporter of all things equestrian.
In the 1960s he was a regular competitor on the region’s polo fields, particularly at Cirencester Park in Gloucestershire.
The Cirencester Park club said yesterday: “We are hugely saddened to hear of the passing of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
“He was a truly inspirational man who we were honoured to host at our club.”
It shared a photograph of him winning the Warwickshire Cup trophy.
He also took a keen interest in the racing at Cheltenham and eventing at other Gloucestershire estates such as Badminton and Gatcombe.
It was a different type of horse that took his interest when visiting Wiltshire in 2004.
He was photographed riding the famous dray horses that historic brewery Wadworths uses to transport its beer to pubs around its home town of Devizes.
Perhaps his greatest legacy in the West will be his love of the great outdoors and his determination that young people in particular should get to experience it.
He was patron of the Ten Tors organisation, which sees thousands of young people from across the region walk across Dartmoor in teams, fostering fitness, friendship and leadership attributes.
Above all, the Duke of Edinburgh scheme has transformed the lives of many thousands of young people.
Across the West alone nearly 30,000 young people take part every year.
Heather Thompson, director for
He was a truly inspirational man who we were honoured to host at our club CIRENCESTER PARK CLUB
the DofE in the South West Region, said: “He was an extraordinary man whose vision, drive and ambition for young people’s development were fundamental to making the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award the success it is today.
“Millions of young people’s lives have been transformed by the charity all across the world since it started in the UK in 1956, and the demand for the DofE from young people in the South West is greater than ever.”
As an advocate of British business and particularly advanced engineering he was a regular visitor to Bristol.
The Duke made no apology about wanting British firms to make a better fist of exporting their goods around the globe.
In 2014 he visited the Bloodhound project to develop a 1,000 miles per hour car, though he looked a little more bemused at being shown around a caravan factory in Bristol in 2012.
Peaches Golding, Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, the Queen’s representative in the city, yesterday said: “His lifelong service to his country and steadfast support of the Queen and royal family marked him out as a national figure, respected across the world.
“His absence will be felt across the country and particularly the Commonwealth, of which he was a passionate supporter.
“I join with all across the city in passing on my condolences to the Queen and royal family during this very difficult time. I wish them the time and the peace needed to grieve and reflect upon the life of the Duke of Edinburgh.”
Throughout more than 70 years of marriage his devotion and loyalty to the Queen never wavered.
He was – put simply – her rock. Bristol-based television celebrity Carol Vorderman yesterday shared a heart-warming story of their love for each other.
She said: “I went for a private lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace quite a few years ago.
“They were both in their 80s and Prince Philip and she were flirting with each other madly and laughing.
“Theirs was a love and a marriage of more than 73 years. Deepest condolences, Ma’am.”