TRIBUTES have been paid from across the Faithful City after the death of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh at the age of 99.
Her Majesty the Queen’s representative in Worcestershire, the Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Holcroft LVO OBE CStJ led the tributes after Buckingham Palace announced Prince Phillip had passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle on Friday (April 9).
Lt Holcroft offered HM the Queen and the Royal Family the condolences from the county at this time of ‘profound national grief’.
“We share a deep sense of loss with all in the United Kingdom and abroad as we remember with great pride and affection HRH The Duke of Edinburgh,” he said.
“The Duke had been Your Majesty’s steadfast consort and a dedicated public servant for more than 70 years. In war and in peace, he set an unparalleled example of service not self, making an extraordinary contribution to the nation and inspiring so many of us in so many different fields.
“We are all diminished by his loss and we shall not see his like again; but his remarkable legacy has imbued the national consciousness,” Lt Holcroft added.
Flags are being flown at half-mast at County Hall and across all public buildings in Worcestershire as a mark of respect.
Mayor of Worcester, Coun Jo Hodges, said: “Prince Philip was a man who commanded the respect of the nation. We admired him for his illustrious wartime record, his commitment to charities and for supporting young people. Most of all, of course, we admired his remarkable support for The Queen at every stage of her reign.
“Sadly I never had the honour of meeting the Duke in person, but nonetheless I have a very strong impression of his devotion to duty, and of the nobility and insight he brought to every task he undertook.
Memories of Royal visits to the city both in 1999 and the summer of 2012 for the opening of the Hive and a reception have been recalled as the city remembers a lifetime of service.
The St George flag on Worcester Cathedral will fly at half-mast until the day after the funeral on Saturday (April 17).
