By Elishya Perera
LONDON (CU)_Following the demise of Prince Philip at Windsor Castle on Friday (9 April), the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland issued a statement, paying tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh.
Recalling her meetings with His Royal Highness, Scotland described the Duke as “charming and witty”, showing real kindness, making every effort to put her at ease.
She acknowledged the vital role played by the Duke in supporting The Queen in fulfilling her duties as Head of the Commonwealth. She noted the fact that The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were remarkably young at the time of Her Majesty’s coronation “symbolised hope for the future and the spirit of goodwill and optimism”.
Scotland recalled The Queen and her husband’s Coronation tour of the Commonwealth in 1953, during which they covered 40,000 miles at a time when the world was far less connected than it is today.
“Their tours were important expressions of Commonwealth inclusiveness, bringing together countries and communities which – although far apart on the map – were made to feel close because of shared inheritances and their continuing Commonwealth identity, made real in a special way through the physical presence of The Queen and the Duke,” the Secretary-General said.
She acknowledged the “ground-breaking initiatives” launched by Prince Phillip within the Commonwealth, including the Commonwealth Studies Conferences, which has brought together emerging leaders and talented men and women from several industries for over 60 years.
On the other hand, he was determined to offer opportunities for the youth to gain confidence and develop resourcefulness, through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, which has been vital in nurturing social progress and innovation throughout the Commonwealth, Scotland said.
In her statement, the Secretary-General recognised the contributions made by His Royal Highness towards social welfare, as a patron or president of a range of Commonwealth charitable bodies and civil society organisations.
She added that Prince Philip supported The Queen with energy and imagination, paticularly during a period of unprecedented change and technological progress, and that they will remain “inextricably connected” to the period when “the Commonwealth developed and grew in stature”.
“Past, present and future generations of Commonwealth citizens owe a debt of gratitude to Prince Philip for remaining constant and steadfast in his commitment to the Commonwealth, and his assuredness and vision of its global importance,” Scotland added.
On behalf of the Commonwealth family, she offered her heartfelt condolences and sympathy to Her Majesty and those close to His Royal Highness Prince Philip.
