Prince Philip will be remembered as a ‘man of rare ability and distinction’ at a poignant memorial service nearly a year after his death at the age of 99.
The service at Westminster Abbey will be shown live on BBC One and will feature material he had planned for his own funeral which was banned due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Gestures missing from Philip’s pre-pandemic arrangements will see young Golden Duke of Edinburgh award holders and members of UK Cadet Force youth associations line the steps of Westminster Abbey as the arrivals of the guests.
The Duke’s express wishes for the congregation to join in and sing the rousing Guide Me hymn, O Thou Great Redeemer, and for clergy from Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral to play a special role will finally be granted on Tuesday.
A service of thanksgiving for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh will be broadcast live from @wabbey tomorrow.
📺 @BBCOne
⏰ 10:30
pic.twitter.com/0nI4QXyFHA— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 28, 2022
Prayers will be said for the Duke’s ‘gifts of character’; for his humor and resilience; his courage and devotion to duty” by the Under-Dean of the Royal Chapels, while “his energy and spirit of adventure” and “his strength and constancy” will be heralded by the clergy of the royal estates – known as of the Queen’s domestic chaplains.
The Duke played an active role in the day-to-day running of the estates for many years.
He wanted the minister of Crathie Church near Balmoral, the rector of Sandringham and the chaplain of All Saints Chapel Royal, Windsor Great Park to attend his funeral.
But farewell to Philip in St George’s Chapel last April was limited to just 30 people amid the pandemic and mass singing was banned, with the Queen sitting alone with a mask.
Will the Queen attend Prince Philip’s memorial service?
Eleven months later, the Royal Family, including the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and the Cambridges, will gather as part of a congregation of 1,800 for a service of thanksgiving in honor of the Duke .
The Queen still hopes to lead her family on a high-profile and personally important occasion for her beloved late husband.
Although the monarch, who has experienced mobility issues, is mentioned in the order of service, Buckingham Palace is expected to confirm on Tuesday morning whether or not she will be able to attend.
The 95-year-old head of state stepped down from Commonwealth Day service earlier this month due to comfort concerns and said he could not travel.
She recently recovered from Covid-19 and appeared in fine form at Windsor last week.
The palace said the queen had been actively involved in the plans for the service, with many elements reflecting her wishes.
Dean of Westminster to deliver seven-minute speech for Prince Philip
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend David Hoyle, will describe Philip in the tender as ‘a man of rare ability and distinction, rightly honored and celebrated, he has always diverted our attention from him -same”.
“Working to the beat, with so many demands on his attention, he encouraged us to focus, as he was focused, on the things that matter,” he will say.
“He was a discipline and a character that seized opportunities and overcame obstacles and difficulties.
“We remember, with affection and respect, the sustained offering of a long life fully lived.”
The Dean of Windsor, the Very Reverend David Conner will deliver a seven-minute speech during the service which will be televised live on BBC One.
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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-03-28 23:01:00
