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Announcement

We join with the whole nation and friends across the world in expressing our sorrow at the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip. Amidst the pain and grief we also lift prayers of thanksgiving for his life, service and example to our nation and to the world.

Statement from Bishop Christopher

The Rt Rev Christopher Foster, Bishop of Portsmouth, said: "The Duke of Edinburgh has lived as an exemplar of public service and devotion to duty. His commitment to HM the Queen and to the nation has been steadfast, and his down-to-earth persona has been coupled with deep loyalty and service. I pray today with gratitude for his life, for Her Majesty and the Royal Family in their loss, and with compassion for all who mourn."

Our churches respond

Many of our churches will be open during the day for you to say a prayer, light a candle or hold the Royal Family in your thoughts over the next few days. Check with the website of your local church for details. Flags will be flown at half-mast, and single bells were tolled 99 times at 12noon on April 10 as a mark of respect. Our Sunday services on April 11 included special prayers and liturgy. A minute's silence will be held across the country at 3pm on April 17.

Latest News

10 April 2021

Churches respond with prayer and thanksgiving to remember HRH Prince Philip

Our churches opened their doors to help people pray and reflect after the death of ... read more

More news

Read the announcement from Buckingham Palace

Read the Prime Minister’s statement

Read the statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury

Add your message of condolence to a message board hosted by the Church of England

Transcript of the Bishop’s sermon from the Thanksgiving service for the life of HRH Prince Philip, Sunday 11th April, at Portsmouth Cathedral

Resources

These will be added to as they are made available.

Download an image of the Duke of Edinburgh for use on websites and social media

Prayers and liturgical resources from the national C of E to use in services (scroll to the bottom of the page)

Photo and mp3 of the National Anthem on the A Church Near You hub (accessible by ACNY Editors only)

Advice about ringing church bells ahead of the funeral of HRH Prince Philip

SCHOOLS: Powerpoint presentation on HRH Prince Philip and guide, for Collective Worship – use together

Life of HRH Prince Philip

HRH Prince Philip was born Philip, Prince of Greece and Denmark, on June 10th, 1921. After being exiled from Greece as a young child, Philip grew up in France, Germany and the UK, and joined the Royal Navy in 1939, serving in the Mediterranean and Pacific fleets during the Second World War. In 1947 he abandoned his Greek and Danish royal titles, taking the name Mountbatten from his maternal grandparents, so that he could marry Elizabeth, and was given the title Duke of Edinburgh. He left active military service when Elizabeth became HM Queen Elizabeth II, and was later endowed with the title HRH Prince Philip.

He retired from royal duties in 2017, having completed over 20,000 solo engagements. During his long service as consort to the Queen he became patron to over 800 organisations, including being President of the World Wildlife Fund. He created the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, which gave many young people the chance to explore voluntary work and outdoor pursuits for the first time.

The Queen and Prince Philip had four children – Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex – as well as eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.