I was unfortunately unable to speak in Parliament this afternoon to pay tribute to the life and work of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and as such, wanted to share my thoughts with you.
I am, as I am sure many across Wednesbury, Oldbury and Tipton are, extremely shocked and saddened to learn of HRH Prince Philip’s passing.
For many of us, HRH Prince Philip has been a constant feature in our lives, a man who, for decades, has appeared on our television screens and been the steadfast companion of HM Queen. However, he was so much more than that. He was a man of great selflessness, integrity and understood the nature of duty – he was the world’s longest serving consort.
Though I was not lucky enough to meet HRH Prince Philip, I felt like I had. During my younger years I completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. The Scheme, which consists of a number of volunteering and physical challenges, equipped me with the skills to face hurdles head-on and taught me the importance of teamwork and communication. Skills which have stayed with me to this day.
The Royal Family, like many families over the past 12 months, are currently grieving the loss of a loved one. However, they can take comfort in the knowledge that the nation is grieving with them. For years, the nation has looked to the Queen for comfort. It is now time for a nation to repay that debt, and for the Queen to look to the nation for comfort in return.
