Remembering the life of the Duke of Edinburgh

This afternoon we marked a minutes’ silence in Parliament to remember the life of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and pay tribute to our country’s great loss. The British Public has lost an extraordinary public servant who served crown and country with relentless dedication and devotion in his decades as the Duke of Edinburgh. 

His charitable endeavours and championing of worthy causes have shaped change, inspired a generation of young people through decades of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. My father was an advisor on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Expedition Advisory Panel for many years, advising and leading on the Award’s brilliant work. He saw first hand the impact that the Award scheme had in empowering young people to build the skills and resilience they needed.

The Duke’s commitment, genuine interest and appreciation for Wales and Welsh culture has no doubt earned him a special place in the hearts of many Welsh families. Whether opening the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, or visiting Aberfan in the wake of disaster and devastation – the Prince’s influence was felt widely across Wales throughout his career, leaving a lasting impression on the people of Wales.

As we grieve Prince Phillip’s loss, it’s been heartening to see the tide of tributes and celebrations in his memory. My thoughts are with the Queen, the Royal Family and the British Public at this incredibly sad time. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on through his work and remarkable achievements.