READERS of the Advertiser have joined local politicians, members of the public and the head of the Royal Navy in adding their tributes to the Duke of Edinburgh.
An online book of condolence has been set up by Argyll and Bute Council, while Helensburgh and Lomond South councillor David Kinniburgh, the Provost of Argyll and Bute, paid his respects.
He said: “The Duke of Edinburgh gave decades of service to Great Britain. He leaves a tremendous legacy through his Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme which has benefited the lives of so many young people.
“His loss will be felt by many. We send our sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and his family at this sad time.”
Helensburgh will join the rest of the country in observing a minute’s silence at 3pm this Saturday, April 17, at the start of the Duke’s funeral.
Campaigning in the Dumbarton constituency, and across Scotland, ahead of next month’s Holyrood election was suspended over the weekend as a mark of respect, but resumed on Tuesday.
Following news of the Duke's death, we asked Advertiser readers to share their memories of him.
Belinda Ruthven said: “I was introduced to him at a garden party at Holyrood. My parents were also there but my dad had gone off somewhere, and instead of continuing his walkabout, HRH asked the crowd to look for him so that he didn’t miss out. Very kind gesture and meant so much. A true gentleman.”
Jeanette Carver said: “I shook his hand when I received my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award in the late 60s. It gave me a ‘can do’ attitude which has helped me run my business successfully for the past 40 years.”
Jamie Proudfoot added: “Between 2010 and 2015 I was privileged to work closely with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award when I founded the ScotRail modern apprenticeship scheme.
"I marshalled at several award ceremonies at Holyrood, and I was always surprised by how the young people warmed to him despite the gulf in years.”
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Prince Philip served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War and had close ties with the service throughout his life.
Admiral Tony Radakin, First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy, said: “His Royal Highness served the Royal Navy with distinction during wartime, mentioned in dispatches for ‘bravery and enterprise’ during the Battle of Cape Matapan.
“He met the then Princess Elizabeth for the first time during his training at Britannia Royal Naval College, and since her accession to the throne remained an enduring friend and supporter of the Royal Navy with a deep understanding of our ethos and values.
“Serving as Lord High Admiral of the Fleet and Captain General Royal Marines he involved himself in every aspect of the Royal Navy, through official visits, patronage and association with naval charities and clubs.
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“His humour and generosity of spirit generated great affection amongst the countless sailors and marines he met each year.
"His genuine empathy, affinity and engagement with the Royal Navy resonated with us all. He will be deeply missed.”
Jill Young MBE, Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, said: “I would like to send my sincere and deepest condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family on the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
“His visits to our county have been many and varied over the years and, along with a lifetime of dedication and selfless devotion and service to the Crown and the country, he leaves a legacy which is widely respected and deeply appreciated.”
Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara said: “History will rightly remember Prince Philip both as a devoted public servant and for his loyalty and devotion to the Queen during her reign and their 73-year-long marriage.”
Although Helensburgh, with its long-standing Navy links, has played host to plenty of royal visits down the years, the Duke himself was a fairly rare visitor to the area.
He and the Queen spent 15 minutes in the town in June 1965 to open a new council office at the end of a busy day in Dunbartonshire which also included engagements in Clydebank, Dumbarton, Alexandria and Balloch.
The Duke also visited Faslane in October 1994, when he was given a tour of the Royal Naval Strategic Systems School and the Submarine Command Trainer and saw round the Resolution-class submarine HMS Renown, and in 2012, when he met members of 43 Commando Royal Marines in his capacity as Captain General of the Royal Marines.
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