HRH The Prince Philip’s Memorial Edition
“wit, grit, and irreverence” HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh By Sir Peter Marshall, an ex FCO senior diplomate and Dep Sec Gen of Commonwealth
“The whole earth is the tomb of heroic men and their story is given not only on stone over their clay but abides everywhere without visible symbol woven into the stuff of other men’s lives”
“I was fortunate to have served as Equerry to His Royal Highness
T
hese sublime words from Pericles’s iconic funeral oration, havd a unique Commonwealth resonance, as Prince Philip of Greece, two millennia later, was buried in Windsor Castle. HRH The Prince Philip was a polymath: the range and the depth of his interests and concerns was prodigious. But they can perhaps be grouped together under three rubrics: enhancing the quality of life, especially of young people notably through the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme; protecting, cherishing and safeguarding the environment; and the encouragement and management of change, with an ever vigilant eye to our shared future. Eminently appropriate as these priorities are in the case of those who have responsibility in one country, they are even more suited to the magnificent diversity of the Commonwealth.
HRH The Prince Philip attended the opening of the Army Apprentice College, Princess Marina College
The Duke of Edinburgh from 2001 to 2003, based in Buckingham Palace and responsible primarily for coordinating His Royal Highness’s official engagements. The period included some extraordinary events and circumstances, including The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the sad passing of HM The Queen Mother and HRH Princess Margaret, and the unfathomable atrocities of 9/11. I plugged into a finely developed process for scheduling and organizing Prince Philip’s engagements with exacting detail. The Duke of Edinburgh at the time was the patron of over 600 organisations and devoted himself with fervent passion to so many of them, accepting a relentless volume of visits, meetings and dinners. The summer of 2002 was dominated by The Queen’s Golden Jubilee visits across the United Kingdom with The Duke of Edinburgh accompanying The Queen for the majority of the events. Marked by commemorative services, processions, walkabouts and special visits, there was enormous public support demonstrated for Her Majesty. Prince Philip engaged so naturally with the crowds, and I recall him occasionally helping young well-wishers over the barriers to present flowers to The Queen. A mail bag was couriered daily to Prince Philip by his household staff, wherever he was based, ensuring business updates; many regarding his multitude of patronages and, from my perspective so that he could approve developing engagement plans. With many octogenarians enjoying a slower pace of life in retirement, Prince Philip challenged the normal, exuding energy, intellect and resilience. He was hugely committed to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and his military appointments received a high priority. His wide interests in science, engineering, design, aviation, maritime and nature were amply Brigadier (Retired) demonstrated through Richard Bennett MVO, organisations including The a previous Equerry to HRH Royal Academy of Engineering, Cambridge University, the RSA and The Air League. He opened and chaired many a fascinating debate, fervently presenting facts and marshalling conclusions. He researched and drafted all of his own speeches, succinctly informing me that I would not be required to assist in that area when I once offered early in my tenure. His Royal Highness had a sharp sense of humour and was always generous and supportive. His commitment was extraordinary, and he appeared to enjoy engaging with the broad spectrum of people that he met. He had such a deep well of interests and a sharp intellect, but I shall remember him mostly for his kind and indomitable spirit and his charitable nature.
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20 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk
