Remembering His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh
Prior to the ceremonial funeral tomorrow, Saturday 17 April 2021, and in memory of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, we take a look back at his connections with Shropshire.
His Royal Highness accompanied Her Majesty The Queen on several visits to the county during his lifelong service.
Prior to the coronation, the then Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Shrewsbury on 6 July 1949 when they opened the Royal Show. Also prior to the coronation, on 24 October 1952 Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Shrewsbury Castle and Shrewsbury School (to mark its 400th anniversary). It was one of Her Majesty’s first visits as the new monarch.
Photo: Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visiting Shrewsbury Castle. Image Courtesy of the Shropshire Star
During their visit in 1952, the Royal visitors were met by the Guard of Honour from the 1st/2nd Cadet Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (K.S.L I) at Shrewsbury Castle.
You can see the full itinerary of the visit by clicking on the links in the following images.
Photo: Programme of events from Shropshire Archives ref D 39.5 v.f.
Photo: Programme of events from Shropshire Archives ref D 39.5 v.f.
Photo: Programme of events from Shropshire Archives ref D 39.5 v.f.
Photo: Programme of events from Shropshire Archives ref D 39.5 v.f.
You can also view a link to the archive footage of the 1952 visit on the British Pathe YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zj3jx-J8Bs
The Royal couple returned to Shrewsbury again on 24 October 1967, this time to officially open the new Shirehall, to be the new accommodation for Shropshire Council. The Duke of Edinburgh also met staff from Harlescott Youth Centre and Monkmoor School in 1975.
Ceremonial funeral
The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral will take place on Saturday 17 April at 3pm in St George’s Chapel, Windsor. The funeral service will begin with a national minute’s silence at 3pm. The service will be preceded by a ceremonial procession inside the grounds of Windsor Castle. You can find out more here: https://www.royal.uk/funeral-duke-edinburgh-0
Instead of leaving floral tributes, if you wish you can make a donation to a charity of your choice, or one of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Patronages in memory of His Royal Highness.
Making a donation to one of His Royal Highness’s many patronages is a fitting way of paying tribute to his remarkable legacy. A list of His Royal Highness’s patronages, and how you can donate can be found on the Royal website here: https://www.royal.uk/floral-tributes
You can still sign the national online Condolence Book at The Royal Family website here: https://www.royal.uk/
To pay our respects to His Royal Highness the one-minute silence will be observed in all our public-facing buildings and venues that are open this Saturday afternoon. We hope, wherever you are, you can join us in observing the minute’s silence.
