Tributes to Duke from church

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SENIOR figures from the Church of Scotland joined the tributes from around the world following the death of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, said that the passing of the Queen’s husband marked ‘the end of an era in the life of our nation’.

His message added: “Prince Philip’s naval service to our country in time of war, and his enormous service to the nation afterwards, and his support of many organisations and charities in industry, education, conservation and sport have been an example to many.

“Throughout his long life, Prince Philip has shown how privilege ought to be marked by service. In his dedicated and distinctive way, he has shown our nation what this looks like, and what kind of difference it can make.

“The inception of the Duke of Edinburgh Award to recognise significant leadership and community service in the lives of young people has inspired generations to look to ways to make a difference in communities and the wider world. The award has transformed the lives of many young people, giving a sense of confidence and self-worth through achievement and hard work.

“The Duke’s constant support for Her Majesty the Queen as her consort throughout their marriage has been unswerving. He was, in the Queen’s own words, ‘her constant strength and guide’.

“The Church of Scotland shares in the nation’s sense of loss at this time, and gives thanks for the Duke’s life. We offer our prayers and sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the members of the Royal Family.”

Prince Philip died aged 99, on April 9, and was interred in the Royal Vault in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle following a funeral on April 17. Churches throughout Scotland held prayers and moments of silence on Sundays April 11 and 18.

The Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland, the Very Rev Professor David Fergusson, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was a remarkable man who played a hugely significant role in supporting Her Majesty to fulfil the obligations and duties of the Monarch.

“Much will be written about Prince Philip and much will be made of his candour and even of his occasionally outspoken views, but the lasting impression must be of the longest-serving and most faithful consort that any British monarch could ever have hoped to have by her side."

Looking back at his connections with Scotland he said: “Prince Philip’s ties to Scotland were no small part of his life. Part of his education was spent at Gordonstoun School. In 1956, he gave his name to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme which has enhanced the life and experience of countless young people over more than sixty years. As Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh (1953–2011), he took a lively interest in its work, becoming a regular visitor to its several campuses, including New College, the home of the School of Divinity, and providing vital support for new initiatives.

“He truly loved the Scottish Highlands and shared with Her Majesty a passion for Balmoral together with a concern for its parish community. The royal couple were generous hosts to a succession of Church of Scotland ministers who were weekend house guests and visiting preachers at Crathie Kirk. Over the years he must have heard hundreds of sermons delivered by ministers and Moderators; he listened keenly and many will remember their theme being picked over at the lunch table or in a late-night conversation where the meaning of life and the state of the world were widely reviewed.

“No one who enjoyed Prince Philip’s company could deny that they were in the presence of a keen and agile mind, but they also knew how much he was able to subdue his natural gifts in order to play his part as ‘liege man of life and limb’. These may be old fashioned terms, but they describe the loyalty of one who played a significant part in holding the monarchy together through years of significant and even turbulent change.

“While we in the Church of Scotland acknowledge the contribution that Prince Philip has made to the fabric of our public life we know, however, that he will particularly be mourned as a husband, a father, a grandfather and a greatgrandfather. Our prayers will be offered for those whose loss is more personal and profound, especially Her Majesty the Queen.”

There were further tributes from two of the domestic chaplains to the Queen. The Rev Kenneth MacKenzie, minister of Crathie Kirk in Aberdeenshire, where the Queen worships while in residence at Balmoral, said: “A man of faith with an active and enquiring mind, The Duke was always interested in the Church at the national and institutional level (keeping up to date with the decisions and discussions of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland), but his interest did not stop there. He was never slow to question how this 'so-called faith' was being lived out in any given parish and community – and speaking for myself, I loved him for it.

“Like many in this community, I have fond memories of personal encounters with the Duke, but perhaps the most treasured memory of all will be of watching him take his place in church Sunday by Sunday, intentionally finding a spot from where he could best scan the assembled congregation. He did this partly to check up on who was there (I am told there were many interesting conversations with those from the estate on Monday mornings!) and partly to keep a close eye on the preacher.

He considered it important, I know, that we preacher types said the right thing – but being the Duke, he also rather enjoyed it when we got it wrong.”

The Rev Neil Gardner, minister of Canongate Kirk, the Kirk of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, paid tribute to the Duke’s ‘distinguished service’ both in the Navy during World War Two and in times of peace. He said: “His name was published in the London Gazette [during the war] as "mentioned in a Despatch for distinguished service." And it was distinguished service in peace time as in war time that Prince Philip would go on to give for the rest of his long and extraordinary life – distinguished service to the Queen and the Royal Family, distinguished service to the country and the commonwealth, distinguished service to the many causes and organisations that he led from the front.”

The Very Rev Dr Lorna Hood, a Chaplainin-Ordinary to the Queen, remembered her visits to Balmoral and said that the Duke ‘could not have been more courteous and went out of his way to make sure I was comfortable’.

The Very Rev Professor Sir Iain Torrance, a former Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland, said: “I became a chaplain to the Queen in 2001 and the Duke, on seeing me at Balmoral, immediately reminisced about my father [the Very Rev Prof Thomas Torrance, Moderator in 1976]. When I became Moderator in 2003 he joked that he hadn't known it was a hereditary office! This was how he was – he was funny, challenging, constructive and welcoming.

“For more than 40 years I admired him, prayed daily for him and the Queen, felt encouraged by him and benefited from his welcome and kindness. I hadn't expected it, but he wrote when I was appointed a knight bachelor in 2018.

“I saw his hard work, his energy and his total, rocklike support for The Queen. There was no one like him and I will always thank God for providing such a figure for such a time.”