A Message on the Death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Revd Rachel Treweek said, “It is with deep sadness that we hear the news of the Duke of Edinburgh’s death. This is a huge loss to the nation and one which we will all feel deeply for a long time to come. We give thanks for Prince Philip, his unwavering love and support of the Queen, and for the good he has championed and enabled within our country and beyond over so many years. 

We offer our deepest condolences to the Queen and the Royal Family as we pray for them to know God’s comfort and everlasting love in the days and weeks ahead. May the hope and peace of Jesus Christ sustain us all.”

Rev Mike Barnsley and Rev Richard Blagg would also like to echo the Bishop’s thoughts and we we will be remembering Prince Philip in our prayers at services over the weekend and upholding the Queen and all the family in our prayers.

The Church of England have issued this prayer, which you may find of comfort at this time.
God of our lives,
we give thanks for the life of Prince Philip,
for his love of our country,
and for his devotion to duty.
We entrust him now to your love and mercy,
through our Redeemer Jesus Christ.
Amen.

If you would like to join us in prayer at a service, there will be Night Prayer each night on our YouTube Channel at 9.00 pm (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), an in-person communion service at St Stephen’s at 9.30 am on Sunday Morning (11 April – COVID guidelines to be followed in the building) and an online service on Facebook at 11.00 am on Sunday morning (and later on our YouTube Channel).

You can also add a message of condolence to the National Church of England Condolence Book.