Prince Philip: 14 heartfelt messages of tribute paid to the Duke of Edinburgh from our readers

Prince Philip will be laid to rest on Saturday 17 April in a service held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle
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Tributes and heartfelt messages have been flooding in from readers across the UK ahead of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral on Saturday (17 April).

JPIMedia - which publishes newspapers across the country - has invited its readers to submit their messages of tribute to Prince Philip, after he passed away at the age of 99 earlier this month.

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The funeral will be held in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle at 3pm, although ceremonial events will start an hour earlier, including a procession at 2.45pm.

Prince Philip's funeral will be held in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle at 3pm on Saturday (Photo: Getty Images)Prince Philip's funeral will be held in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle at 3pm on Saturday (Photo: Getty Images)
Prince Philip's funeral will be held in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle at 3pm on Saturday (Photo: Getty Images)

This will be followed by the arrival of a Land Rover carrying the coffin and a national minute’s silence at 3pm.

There will be no public element to the funeral, which will take place entirely in the grounds of the castle, and only 30 people will be in attendance, including all of Philip’s children and grandchildren.

Tributes to Prince Philip

Readers from across the UK have sent in tributes to the Duke, as well as treasured memories, which will be added to our Book of Condolence.

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Many of the messages for Prince Philip will be published region by region in our local daily newspapers on Monday (19 April) in a superb eight-page souvenir supplement.

The daily titles include the Portsmouth News, Sheffield Star, The Scotsman, Edinburgh Evening News, Yorkshire Evening Post, Sunderland Echo, Hartlepool Mail, Shields Gazette, Lancashire Post, Blackpool Gazette, The News Letter, the Yorkshire Post, and the Wigan Post.

They will also appear here on the company's national news website, NationalWorld.com as well as hundreds of weekly newspapers.

Here are some of the messages of condolence which have been sent in so far:

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“R.I.P. Sir. Had the pleasure of meeting you and speaking with you when I was around 18 yrs old. As an adult member of a sea cadet unit you stopped to ask me a couple of questions and i answered and you made a kind remark and you beamed a big smile at me saying keep up the good work.Thank you for a life of Service Sir.” - Hilly Lucas Howden, Chelmsford, Essex

“I had the greatest honour of being invited to luncheon with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace in November 2010. Only twelve people around the table I felt hugely privileged to be seated next to the Duke of Edinburgh. He was charming company, exceptionally knowledgeable about the nursing and midwifery profession with a terrific sense of humour. I will never forget the glint in his eye. A truly inspirational man who leaves an amazing legacy. My thoughts are with the Queen and Royal family. May he rest in peace.” - Professor Tricia Storey- Hart, Leeds

“I will never forget the day in 2011, when I took 8 Young people with Learning Difficulties to collect their Gold DofE Award from Prince Philip in the gardens at Holyrood Palace in Scotland. We chatted about walking through Chatsworth Park for the expedition and the Prince spoke to us about his experiences of Chatsworth. We had a most memorable day and the highlight was meeting Prince Philip who had an aura around him and a glint in his eye, we will always remember him for his happy face and lovely smile.” - Dawn Wood, Seven Hills School, Sheffield

“I met Prince Phillip and Princess Anne when along with the Queen were visiting the Isle of Man in the seventies (at the height of the troubles in NI). I was about 10 or 11 yrs old on a weeks holiday with the Girls Brigade. Prince Phillip asked where we were from and when we told him Belfast he said and I quote "you will be needing your bullet proof knickers when you go home". My mum and other family members who were great royalists didn't believe me. I still tell everyone who listens about it. It was one of the best days of the stay on the IOM. My daughter once asked our GB captain if it was true, she wouldn't say yes or no just smiled and turned away.” - Carole Connor, Belfast

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“I met HRH Prince Philip with and without his wife (Queen Elizabeth II) on several occasions. He loved life and learning and was very approachable, thoughtful and considerate. He did wonders for the British monarchy on a world stage. RIP” - Anne, North Northamptonshire

“He looked directly at me, smiled and waved as I stood outside Crathie Church near Balmoral. He had only just left the church so need not have bothered to turn and wave. We only stopped when we saw the crowds the day after we watched the Highland Games at Braemar but it struck me as a very kind and genuine gesture.” - Janet Walter, Kettlewell, Yorkshire Dales

“R.I.P Sir, loved meeting you when you had a walk about in Preston, including my very young grandchildren in our chat.” - Angie Batty, Lancashire

“When a student at University over 60 years ago I was involved in organising a biological expedition to the small island of Annobon off the West coast of Africa. I wrote to HRH to ask for a financial contribution. He replied to say that he would make a donation, but on condition our expedition was approved by the Royal Geographical Society. I was duly interviewed by the RGS and their approval followed. We then received a cheque for £100 from the Duke. This was a great help and enabled us to complete a successful expedition. So I have always been grateful to him.” - Colin Wood-Robinson, Adel, Leeds

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“A gentleman and a character in his own right .Met him in 1968 when he presented colours to my cdo unit, an enjoyable experience “ - Robert Owens, Pontypridd, South Wales

“I met The Duke of Edinburgh twice while I was taking part in the gold DoE award. He presented me with my gold award at Buckingham Palace in the early 1980s. When I became a teacher some years later I ran the DoE scheme in my school and always encouraged pupils to take part.” - Colin Clow, Portsmouth

“I met the duke once before I deployed on active duty, what a nice down to earth man, he had plenty of time to spend with us and was keen to know everything about us, he will be missed.” - William Farrier, Chichester

“I still clearly remember the day the Queen unveiled the Eric Morecambe statue - afterwards you and the Queen came to Lancaster Town Hall where I work for lunch. I was standing on the balcony as you came up the main stairs and along the landing. You took the trouble to pass the time of day with some of the staff and as you went along the landing I was within touching distance of you and the Queen. It was a memorable occasion for me and as my Uncle said that evening a once in a lifetime opportunity. Thank you.” - Jennifer Patricia Lawton - Moreambe

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“Such a sad time, but great memories of meeting you in Cambridge many years ago still foremost in my mind...Always a Hero and a Gentleman.Your duty is done. RIP.” - Mark Keane, Bletchley

“I met The Duke of Edinburgh 25 years ago when I was lucky enough to go to the palace to receive my DofE Gold Award. He spoke to me and asked where I had completed my expeditions. At that point, I lost my ability to speak and stuttered many times before finally uttering the words “The Yorkshire Dales” to which he replied, “Oh lucky you, what a marvellous part of the country!” RIP Sir.” - Bernardine Firminger, Burnley, Lancashire

How to make a contribution

There is still time to leave your memory or tribute for Prince Philip. If you would like to make a contribution, simply fill out this online form.

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