LATEST NEWS: SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING CALLED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

Councillors in Scotland's Capital city will unite to pay public tribute to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh in a specially convened online meeting on Friday 16 April 2021, the day before the Duke's funeral.

The meeting, to be held virtually and broadcast live on the City of Edinburgh Council's webcast channel, will take place at 10am. 

The sole item for debate on the agenda is a motion put forward by Lord Provost Frank Ross, Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, which states: 

Death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh – Motion by the Lord Provost

“On behalf of this Council, and the citizens of Edinburgh, I want to offer my deep condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and Members of the Royal Family on news of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Made Duke of Edinburgh on the day of his wedding to Princess Elizabeth in 1947, His Royal Highness has made an immense contribution to the civic life and international reputation of Edinburgh throughout an extraordinary life of public service.

He demonstrated great appreciation of and support for Scotland’s Capital City and its citizens. Quite simply, he took the name of our Capital across the world and put Edinburgh on the map in so many ways.

Our strong relationship with the Duke was consolidated at a very early stage when he was presented with the Freedom of the City in March 1949, in recognition of his distinguished role and effort in supporting Edinburgh.

In 1953, the year of the Coronation, the Duke was appointed Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh and held this position for nearly 60 years until 2010.

His Royal Highness’s great interest in the benefits of education and belief in opportunities to transform young people’s lives was also reflected in the setting up of the inspirational Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme in 1956.

We know of course that The Duke himself had, following a life of public service, retired finally from his official Royal duties in 2017, aged 96.

It was particularly significant therefore that the Depute Lord Provost Councillor Joan Griffiths and I had the pleasure of welcoming both The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to the Opening of the new Queensferry Crossing on the Edinburgh side of the new Bridge on 4 September 2017.

This was indeed the last time that the Duke undertook a formal engagement in the City and a highly significant one at that, enhancing transport links and economic development opportunities across the Firth of Forth and the East of Scotland.

His Royal Highness remained Patron, President or member of some 30 Edinburgh-based organisations and won a special place in the hearts of local people.

It has been my privilege and honour to serve as Lord Lieutenant for Edinburgh a city where Prince Philip’s legacy will be outstanding and enduring.

This Council and this City are in mourning today.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family at this very difficult time.”

The special Council meeting can be watched live online. 

The Council opened a virtual book of condolence on Friday 9 April after Buckingham Palace announced that the Duke of Edinburgh had died, aged 99. Hundreds of comments have already been submitted from all over the world.

Flags at the City Chambers will continue to be flown at half-mast during the period of national mourning.