Prince Philip's Memorial Service Will 'Give Thanks' For The Late Duke's 'Dedication To Family, Nation & Commonwealth' & More — Details
It's been almost one year since Prince Philip passed away at the age of 99, and now he will be remembered at his memorial service on Tuesday, March 29.
"Members of the Royal Family will attend a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday, 29th March. The service will give thanks for The Duke of Edinburgh’s dedication to family, Nation and Commonwealth and recognize the importance of his legacy in creating opportunities for young people, promoting environmental stewardship and conservation, and supporting the Armed Forces," a press release from the palace read. "The Service will in particular pay tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh’s contribution to public life and steadfast support for the over 700 charitable organizations with which His Royal Highness was associated throughout his life."
The message continued, "Alongside the Royal Family, Members of Foreign Royal Families and The Duke of Edinburgh’s wider family and friends, the congregation will include over 500 representatives of Overseas Territories, representatives from The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Household, representatives from The Duke’s Regimental Affiliations in the U.K. and the Commonwealth, as well as the clergy and other faiths. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, founded by his Royal Highness in 1956, will feature prominently in the Service, with a Tribute to be given by a Gold Award Holder. In recognition of The Duke of Edinburgh’s long-held relationship with the Armed Forces, the Band of the Royal Marines will provide music before and after the service. The Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal Choirs will provide music during the Service."
Prince Harry was always on the fence about attending, as he is nervous about the lack of security in the U.K. He later confirmed that he would not be traveling for the event, which angered some people.
"Within a couple of minutes of announcing that he would not be attending the Duke of Edinburgh’s service of thanksgiving, Harry’s team also announced that he would be attending the Invictus Games in the Hague in April, just a few weeks later," noted Daily Mail editor Rebecca English. "This has obviously surprised a lot of people ... to travel to Europe to go to that, but not to his grandfather’s memorial service has, to use a well-worn phrase, got people’s goat."
