Church leaders pay tribute to HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh

Duke of Edinburgh in 1993 by Allan Warren Wiki Image

Tributes have been pouring in to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, who died today.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby

"I join with the rest of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in mourning the loss of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, and give thanks to God for his extraordinary life of dedicated service. Prince Philip continually demonstrated his unfailing support and unstinting loyalty to Her Majesty The Queen for 73 years.

"He consistently put the interests of others ahead of his own and, in so doing, provided an outstanding example of Christian service. During his naval career, in which he served with distinction in the Second World War, he won the respect of his peers as an outstanding officer.

"On the occasions when I met him, I was always struck by his obvious joy at life, his enquiring mind and his ability to communicate to people from every background and walk of life. He was a master at putting people at their ease and making them feel special.

"The legacy he leaves is enormous. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which he founded in 1956, has inspired generations of young people to help others and instilled in them a vision for citizenship and a desire to serve their communities. His work with countless charities and organisations reflected his wide- ranging, global interests in topics including wildlife, sport, design, engineering and inter-faith dialogue.

"In his powerful advocacy for conservation his was a prophetic voice for over half a century, as he brought people from around the world to a new concern and commitment to action for the future of our planet.

"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. Throughout his life Prince Philip displayed those qualities in abundance, and I pray that we can take inspiration from his example.

"I also join many people in giving thanks for the marriage of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip, and for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Theirs was a marriage grounded in friendship and mutual respect and sustained by shared faith in Christ.

"I pray that God will comfort Her Majesty and the rest of the Royal Family at this time. May His Royal Highness rest in peace and rise in glory."

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

I was saddened to hear of the death today of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Her Majesty the Queen, and all the members of the Royal family, are in our prayers on the death of a much loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Prince Philip has been a regular visitor to Northern Ireland in connection with his widespread charitable work. Many pupils from right across the community here have participated in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. However, his visit to Ireland along with Queen Elizabeth in 2011, stands out as a cherished moment of peace and reconciliation and as an historic demonstration of the importance of mutual understanding and respectful relationships between these islands.

I will offer prayers for Queen Elizabeth and her family at this difficult personal time and will pray for the happy repose of the soul of Prince Philip.

Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London

It is with exceptional sadness that I received the news of the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh today. Having had the pleasure of meeting with His Royal Highness on numerous occasions over the past twenty years, I will hold on to fond memories of his intelligence, sharp wit and uplifting sense of humour. Prince Philip's dedication to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and his avid love for serving others, most notably his admirable support to and of Her Majesty The Queen, has always demonstrated incredible dignity and strength of character.

This will undoubtedly be a time of sadness for Her Majesty and all members of The Royal Family and Household, while also being a time to rejoice in the life of His Royal Highness, and the rich legacy he so generously leaves us.

It is comforting that the departure of His Royal Highness comes so close to the celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection both in the Anglican and the Orthodox calendars, a time at which we reflect on death being a mere departure to a new and more glorious life with our Lord Jesus Christ.

May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.

My prayers and those of my community are with Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family at this difficult time.

+Angaelos
Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London
Papal Legate to the United Kingdom

The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York

I join with many of you across the country as we mourn the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip was a remarkable man who lived a life of service dedicated to his country, to his wife, Queen Elizabeth II and his family.

At eighteen, Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy and served with distinction throughout the Second World War. At the same time, the beginnings of a cherished friendship with Princess Elizabeth began to blossom.

That friendship resulted in a marriage which lasted for over 70 years and has been a source of mutual joy, support and comfort in private moments but equally as they have both navigated a very public life together.

Having become the longest serving British consort, Prince Philip has been unstinting in his support, leading Her Majesty to famously comment. 'he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years.' [1]

His faith in Jesus Christ was an important part of his life and one which shaped who he was.

For so many in this country and around the world, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is an enormous part of Prince Philip's legacy. The award has allowed countless young people to develop and discover skills, which have instilled confidence in them and given them an encounter of working together for the common good.

Prince Philip was patron to hundreds of charitable organisations, covering a wide range of disciplines all of which benefited from his wit and wisdom and his inquisitive mind.

Do join me in praying for members of the Royal Family as they mourn and may God bring them comfort. As we give thanks to God for a life lived to the full, may Prince Philip rest in peace and rise in glory.