HRH The Duke of Edinburgh - Tribute from East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Fri 9th April 2021
The chairman and leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council have today paid their respects to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who has died at the age of 99.
In a joint statement chairman of the council, Councillor Pat Smith and leader of the council, Councillor Richard Burton paid tribute to The Duke who “dedicated his life to supporting The Queen”.
The statement said: “We are both deeply saddened to learn of the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and we send our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen and members of the Royal Family. They are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
“The Duke was dedicated to his family and to public service as well as supporting The Queen as she carried out her duties across the world and he will be greatly missed.”
As a mark of respect to The Duke, the Union Flag will be flown at half-mast on all council buildings until the day after his funeral.
Due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions there will be no books of condolence available across the East Riding but anyone wishing to leave a message of sympathy can do so via the Buckingham Palace website – www.royal.uk
The Duke last visited the East Riding in 2009 when he accompanied The Queen when she opened the Queen’s Centre for Oncology and Haematology at Castle Hill.
But the most memorable visit came in 2002 as part of The Queen’s Golden Jubilee tour. The Queen and The Duke arrived by Royal Train into Beverley and attended a service for rural life at Beverley Minster, followed by a walkabout in Saturday Market.
The couple visited the college at Bishop Burton before attending a lunch, hosted by the council, at Beverley Racecourse and presenting a trophy to the winning female jockey in the Gold Jubilee Race.
The Duke also made visits to Bridlington in 1997 and Goole in 1998.
