Public leave more flowers at palace and castle
WELL-WISHERS SPANNING different generations and nationalities descended on Royal residences yesterday to pay their respects to the Duke of Edinburgh.
People travelled to central London to lay flowers at Buckingham Palace and take in the scene despite calls for them to stay away due to coronavirus restrictions.
The small crowds gathered on a breezy spring day as the Union flag flew at half mast above the palace.
And a long line of people were out yesterday on the Long Walk at Windsor Castle in Berkshire following the announcement on Friday that the Duke had died at the age of 99.
At Buckingham Palace, Americans Todd and Brittney Provino, who are living in Battersea, south London, were prompted by their three young children to stop by because their nine-yearold daughter, Hadley, wanted to “leave some flowers because the Queen will be sad”.
Hadley had made red paper poppies and laid them in front of the palace.
Mrs Provino, 41, said: “Hadley said she wanted to make poppies because she knew they were flowers of remembrance and they have a military link. We wanted the kids to be part of this. It is something that goes down in history.
“They asked about Philip and we told them that he dedicated his life to this country. We wanted to show respect. It felt like the right thing to do.”
Neil Loughton, the founder of the Penny Farthing Club, rode his antique bicycle to the palace gates to pay his respects.
He said: “We play bicycle polo and the Duke used to play the sport as well. We wanted to come and pay our respects.
“I think that there are some things that are just important and need to be done – 99 years of life and more than 70 years of service deserves some recognition.”
Signs outside the palace told well-wishers that flowers would be removed. A teddy bear sat on floral tributes where a card said: “Philip, you were such a big part of our lives, you will be missed.”
At Windsor Castle, a member of the Royal Household staff started laying flowers inside a courtyard.
The woman placed several bouquets at the centre of the lawn within the castle grounds, which is just beyond the entrance, guarded by four armed police officers, and can be seen from Castle Hill road.
Members of the public also continued laying flowers at a separate entrance near the Long Walk, for a third day, although this has been discouraged due to coronavirus restrictions, and bouquets have been cleared away each night.