Church leaders’ warm tributes for Prince Philip
ON THE first Sunday since the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, there were moments of quiet contemplation and prayers of thanksgiving in churches around the country.
At one service, the Prince was described as a man who “lived and died a man of his word” in his pledges to both Queen and country.
Some members of the Royal Family attended services in the grounds of Windsor Castle. At other services, there were no grand ceremonies as church leaders paid solemn tributes to the Duke.
They spoke of a man with a “self-effacing sense of duty, an abiding sense of purpose, and a particular character of service”.
The Very Rev Dr David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster, led services at Westminster Abbey the place where Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, and where he pledged allegiance to her.
“We thank God for a life, witness and service of the Duke of Edinburgh, in this abbey church where he made promises that were a lifelong commitment,” said the Dean.
“Here, on June 2, 1953, he knelt before our newly crowned sovereign and made homage as a ‘liege man of life and limb’.
“He was a man of his word. He was always a man of his word.
“He gave his service to the crown and always wanted our attention directed just there.”
Following prayers said for Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal family, there was specially recorded music including William Harris’s anthem, Bring Us, O Lord God At Our Last Awakening, sung by The Choir of Westminster Abbey.
The Dean went on to speak of a man who never courted the spotlight but had many gifts, of a resilience in youth, a distinguished naval service, a proven ability to lead, and a great love of family.
It was a “character of humanity” that fascinated Prince Philip, he added.
“He quoted Shakespeare ‘men, at some time, are masters of their fates’,” reflected the Dean.
“Life was not something that happened to him, it was an act of discipline and will. He was not wrong. He knew that we are called to live fully and die in hope.
“There are so many different things that he could have achieved.
“We are thankful that this life, this energy and ability, was put to the service of the crown and our Commonwealth.”
Hull Cathedral, which has an online book of condolences, cautiously opened its doors for mourners to light a candle, following careful guidance and distancing.
At York Minster, a service of thanksgiving was held by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, attended by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Jo Ropner, who read from the Acts of the Apostles.
The Archbishop spoke of a man the Queen had once described as “her rock”.
Reflecting upon this choice of words, he said, the Queen had found in Prince Philip a sense of strength, dependability and security, even a “foundation upon which life could be built”.
“We all know that the most extravagantly beautiful buildings require the firmest foundations,” he said.
“What Her Majesty the Queen has achieved, through a lifetime of service, has been built upon the foundations of marriage, and to a man whose own values and character were formed first through exile and then through the turmoils of war.”
A week of national mourning has begun which will last until the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday at Windsor Castle.
The Queen approved a recommendation by Prime Minister Boris Johnson for the period of national mourning. Union flags are to be flown at half mast, with a three-minute silence is be held at 3pm as a mark of respect as Prince Philip is laid to rest.
Mr Johnson has confirmed he will not attend the funeral, to allow for the attendance of as many family members as possible, with guests limited to 30 people.
Primarily close family are expected to be among those attending.
The Princess Royal, yesterday paying tribute to the Duke, said it was her father’s example of a “life well lived and service freely given” that she most wanted to emulate.
Princess Anne, who posted an image of herself and the Duke of Edinburgh laughing together at a sporting event, said: “You know it’s going to happen, but you are never really ready.”
We are thankful that this life was put to the service of the crown. The Very Rev Dr David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster.