TRIBUTES for Prince Philip continue to pour in following the launch an online book of condolence in Warwickshire.
Communities are invited to sign the book on Warwickshire County Council’s website which will be retained in its archives for future generations to read, along with passing the book to the Palace in due course.
County Council leader Coun Izzi Seccombe said: “It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
“We must be inspired and grateful for the very many years of selfless dedication and personal sacrifice he has given to public service. The nation and beyond is grateful for his unstinting support to Her Majesty, The Queen.
“Our deepest sympathies go to his family and to Her Majesty The Queen at this time of personal loss.”
Coun Alan Cockburn, the chairman of the council, has written to the Queen and the Royal Family offering condolences
The authority is planning a way to bring communities together in the near future, once restrictions allow, to pay tribute to His Royal Highness.
Flags across the county are also flying at half mast this week until the day after the the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral on Saturday.
In Stratford those wishing to lay wreaths or floral tributes are invited to do so in the Garden of Remembrance, along College Street in Old Town. They will remain there until the day following the funeral and be composted thereafter.
The chairman of Stratford District Council Tony Dixon said: “On behalf of the Councillors and Officers of Stratford District Council we are deeply saddened at the news of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts are with the royal family at this time.”
The Duke last visited Stratford in 2011 when he accompanied the Queen to officially open the transformed Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre, as well as the Warwickshire Justice Centre in Leamington.
He also visited Shakespeare’s Birthplace twice in 1957 and 1964 to mark the Bard’s 400th birthday, when the Duke officiated the opening of the Shakespeare Centre.
And in 1996, he accompanied the Queen to mark the town’s 800th anniversary with the unveiling of the stainless steel fountain on Bancroft Gardens.
The trust paid tribute: “We are deeply saddened by the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke of Edinburgh had a keen interest in Shakespeare and was a regular visitor to Stratford.
“The Duke of Edinburgh will always hold a special place in the history of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and Stratford, having been present on the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth as the new Shakespeare Centre was unveiled, paving the way for new study opportunities as the collections of the trust and RSC came together, and providing a centre of activity for Shakespeare study, learning and enjoyment.
“We offer our condolences and thoughts to Her Majesty The Queen and members of the royal family at this sad time.”
