Whether a Royalist or not, (I’m somewhere in the middle I think) yesterday without doubt will have touched the heart of the UK Nation. The husband of Her Majesty the Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, passed away peacefully at 99-years-old. As so many famillies have experienced bereavement over the most horrible past eighteen months, and continue to, the Queen is with us in our collective grief.
Giving
As the nation joins in reflection and showing our respect. I pray that the Queen and her family will be comforted by having had such an amazing person in their lives. As a nation, many of us are only beginning to realise the contribution Prince Philip made to society, whilst it feels as if he has always been there. Seemingly never being a person wanting acknowledgement for all that he has done for his wife and family, and for the wider community. Surely a reflection of his faith, or perhaps simply modesty.
Matthew 6:2-4 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Change in Era
There really is the sense of seeing an era move into history. So much knowledge, wisdom and experience gradually passing away. So many of us are blessed to have parents, a parent, parents-in-law, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, friends who are part of that era. And we cherish them. For all they have been through. For all they know and share.
Perseverance
My late father came to mind as I watched the overview of Prince Philips fascinating life yesterday evening. As I’m sure will be the case for so many people. Those same characteristics of tenacity, humour, zest for life, reliability, care for others so apparent. Following a difficult and challenging childhood.
Family Complexity
My father, although not a refugee, tragically lost his mother when he was a young boy during World War II. Medical care not simple to secure at that time. And from that young age never had a family home we are aware of, until creating his own. Cared for by whoever was willing. Often by very kind neighbours. His father struggling to cope with the enormity of loss. My father never recovered from that loss and rarely spoke of it. He was a constant support to his father for all his life, whilst raising and supporting our family. Hard though that must have been, his sense of duty was incredibly strong. Never a bad word ever uttered about his patriarch.
Understanding
I have come to understand him so much better over the years of him not being here. His generation were so good at carrying on, despite everything crumbling around them. The frequent phonecalls checking up on your wellbeing from my late father, arriving for refreshments during a busy business day still so very much missed.
Closing Thoughts
I occasionally join in watching and praying with the Nazarene Contemplative Prayer walk from St Martins-in-the-Fields, London. Broadcast via Facebook live on a Saturday morning. As a person who knew London well, I find it comforting, peaceful and reflective. The prayer walk today reflected on the lives of Prince Philip and Her Majesty the Queen and their family, on the walk toward and around Buckingham Palace.
The prayer walk is 30 minutes and can be viewed here. It is incredibly restful.
I will be completely honest in saying, I never thought I would be writing about the Royal Family. But they are a family in mourning, like so many, in exceptional times.
The UK is now in a period of National mourning until the morning of Sunday April 18, 2021.
Messages of condolence to the Royal Family are invited to be left on the link here
Matthew 5:4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Thank you for popping in on the blog.
Have a blessed day⚘
Penny @hopefoundinme
Hope found in M.E. 
This is a beautiful tribute, and thank you for sharing a little more about your dad, too. Being an orphan in this day and age can’t be easy, but to think of it during the war to have lost your mother, to not have the social services support or a foster home or the things you should (*should) have to look after you now.. that’s heartbreaking. There really is a remarkable sense of duty, loyalty, courage, character, tenacity (stubbornness in my dad’s case) to the older generation.
“I pray that the Queen and her family will be comforted by having had such an amazing person in their lives” – That’s certainly something that should give them comfort. And you’re right, I think this is making more people realise what role he played, what things he managed to achieve. I’m not one for the royal family particularly but I did really like Prince Philip. I had a lot of respect for him and loved how he was so refreshingly down to earth, not minding if he dropped the ‘f’ bomb, and all the time he worked to do so much good in the world. A wonderful man who will be very much missed. xx
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Bless you , Caz. You are always so generous with your comments on my blog. Which I really do appreciate. And yes, a very different generation. Stubborness certainly very apparent. I’m attempting a little genealogy when my cogs are compliant. It’s interesting what is revealed, but also so hard to pin down the detail. It really is needle & haystack stuff when known detail is so hard to pin down.
I agree, Prince Philip really did seem an incredible person. My view of Royalty fluctuates also. But there is no doubt Prince Philip gave his all to duty and service. I think it’s incredibly sad for his family that they are subject to restriction at this time, but they will be able empathise so much with the general public experiencing the same. But really not what one would want for them. What a tough 18 months. And so sad to lose another landmark figure, the likes of who we are unlikely to see again. Xxx
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