There will not be a state funeral for Prince Philip, Buckingham Palace has confirmed, with the Royal Family opting for a private service at Windsor Castle to stay in line with COVID restrictions. The 99-year-old husband of the Queen passed away early Friday morning.
The service will take place next Saturday, April 17, at 11:30 a.m. NDT at St. George’s Chapel.
Provincial government flags are flying at half-mast and a book of condolence is available at Government House in St. John’s, following the passing of Prince Philip.
The Prince made 17 official visits to the province between 1951 and 1997, and was a member of the Crow’s Nest Officers’ Club in St. John’s.
Past President of the Crow’s Nest, Gary Walsh, says the Prince was made a member of the club not long after his very first visit in 1951 – even before Elizabeth II was crowned as Queen.
Walsh says the Duke of Edinburgh last paid a visit to the Crow’s Nest the day after the Cabot celebrations in Bonavista in 1997, a visit he personally requested.
Walsh, who was there, says the Prince entered the club to a “roaring ovation,” had a drink and then circulated speaking to everyone present.
Prince Philip also created the Duke of Edinburgh International Award. The executive director of the local organization, Trudy Carlisle, says Philip was inspired in developing a learning framework for young people by a former teacher, Kurt Hahn.
The idea behind the award, says Carlisle, is that it is centred on a young person setting smart, challenging goals for themselves, and is based on their ability to stay committed to those goals and activities.
