Today, Bishop–designate Malcom and I, join with the whole United Kingdom, and friends across the world, in expressing our sorrow at the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
Though sorrowful and grieving, we give thanks to God for his long life, dedicated service to the nation and Commonwealth, and unfailing support to Her Majesty The Queen, for 73 years.
After so many decades in public service, I expect we will each have a memory or image of Prince Philip – perhaps alongside Her Majesty, engaged and enquiring in every circumstance, as they travelled the globe, or as he championed causes close to his heart, for example, in conservation, design and engineering, and inter-faith dialogue, or of the legacy he has left for young people through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
As the Archbishop of Canterbury has said: “Prince Philip consistently put the interests of others ahead of his own and, in so doing, provided an outstanding example of Christian service. As we recover and rebuild after the terrible trial of the coronavirus pandemic, we will need fortitude and a deep sense of commitment to serving others … I pray we can take inspiration from his example”.
His commitment to our Queen and our nation has been total, and I know you will join us in sending our sincere condolences to Her Majesty and the Royal Family, with the assurance of our prayers as they grieve.
We pray they know the comfort and peace of the risen Christ in their loss.
May His Royal Highness rest in peace and rise in glory.
Prayer
God of our lives,
we give thanks for the life of Prince Philip,
for the love he shared among us,
and for his devotion to duty.
We entrust him now to your love and mercy,
through our Redeemer Jesus Christ.
Amen.
