It is with great and deep sadness that we acknowledge and come to terms with to the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Born on 10 June 1921, Philip was born into the Greek and Danish royal families. He was born in Greece, but his family was exiled from the country when he was an infant. After being educated in France, Germany and the United Kingdom, he joined the British Royal Navy in 1939, aged 18. From July 1939, he began corresponding with the 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth, whom he had first met in 1934. During the Second World War he served with distinction in the Mediterranean and Pacific Fleets.

After the war, Philip was granted permission by George VI to marry Elizabeth. Before the official announcement of their engagement in July 1947, he abandoned his Greek and Danish royal titles and became a naturalised British subject, adopting the surname Mountbatten from his maternal grandparents. He married Elizabeth on 20 November 1947. Just before the wedding, he was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich. Philip left active military service when Elizabeth became queen in 1952, having reached the rank of commander, and was formally made a British prince in 1957.

On behalf of our communities, the Parish Council sends its deepest sympathies to the Royal family at this time of great sorrow.

Regrettably, due to coronavirus restrictions we are unable to set up physical books of condolence at this time. However, an online book of condolence is available to sign at the website of the Royal Family.

Out of respect, the Union Flag in Coxhoe Village Hall Memorial Garden is being flown at half mast.

There is no official arrangement for giving donations in memory of The Duke of Edinburgh. However members of the public who wish to make a donation as a tribute to His Royal Highness are encouraged to give to a charity of their choosing or one of the charities or organisations which The Duke of Edinburgh supported in his public duties. Over the course of his life, The Duke of Edinburgh was patron or president of some 992 organisations. Some further information is available on the website of the Royal Family.

The Period of National Mourning will continue until 8pm on Saturday 17 April, the day of the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh which will start at 3.00pm at St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle. There will be no lying in state but there will be a one minute silence at 3.00pm on 17 April.