The Princess Royal has issued a personal tribute on The Royal Family website after the passing of her father, The Duke of Edinburgh.
The statement reads as follows:
“You know it’s going to happen but you are never really ready. My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic, but mostly it is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate. His ability to treat every person as an individual in their own right with their own skills comes through all the organisations with which he was involved.
“I regard it as an honour and a privilege to have been asked to follow in his footsteps and it has been a pleasure to have kept him in touch with their activities. I know how much he meant to them, in the UK, across the Commonwealth and in the wider world.”
Princess Anne has paid tribute to her father, The Duke of Edinburgh; they are pictured at Lady Gabriella Windsor’s wedding in May 2019.
The Duke’s only daughter concluded her statement by saying: “I would like to emphasise how much the family appreciate the messages and memories of so many people whose lives he also touched. We will miss him but he leaves a legacy which can inspire us all.”
The pair had a close relationship as they both shared a love for equestrian sports and were often seen attending races together. The Duke of Edinburgh always watched on as his daughter competed during events, as she became a successful equestrienne.
The statement comes after other members of the Royal Family paid tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh. In a statement broadcast on Saturday, Anne’s brother The Prince of Wales highlighted his incredible commitment to The Queen and to the Commonwealth.
After a service at The Royal Chapel of All Saints attended by The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke of York and Lady Louise, the group thanked Windsor Estate staff for their support over the last few days.
In an interview with Sky News, her brother, The Duke of York, said The Queen had described the death of Prince Philip as ‘having left a huge void in her life’.
The Queen, joined by Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and ,Princess Anne at The Braemar Gathering in the Scottish Highlands in 2016. Picture by Andrew Parsons / i-Images
The Earl of Wessex thanked the public for the ‘extraordinary tributes and the memories that everybody has had and been willing to share’. Whilst Sophie described his final moments as ‘peaceful’ and ‘gentle’ – ‘as if he were taken by the hand’.
The Duke of Cambridge issued a statement where he said his grandfather’s ‘infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour’ will be missed. He notes how he was pleased Catherine and his children got to spend time with Philip and create their own memories with the 99-year old Duke.
Princess Eugenie also remembered her ‘Grandpa’ and how he saved the BBQ by stopping her burning sausages. Philip was famous for his Balmoral BBQs.
Buckingham Palace announced The Duke of Edinburgh’s Ceremonial Royal funeral will take place on Saturday, 17th April at 3pm in St George’s Chapel. The funeral, in line with government regulations, will be attended by 30 members of the Royal Family, including The Duke of Sussex.
