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

by Rabbi Mark Solomon

Sovereign of the Universe, who gives salvation unto rulers and dominion unto princes; together with Britain and the Commonwealth, we mourn the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in his 100th year of life. We give thanks for his long life, for the 73 years of his marriage to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and for the constancy and strength with which he supported her through the long years of her reign. We honour his courageous service as a decorated naval officer in the Second World War, his inspiring leadership of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, and his dedication to the conservation of nature and the environment, among all his other acts of devoted public service.

We think of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and pray that they will find comfort in their loss and inspiration in the example he gave of dignified service. Above all, we think of our dear Queen in this time of her loss, and pray that she will find comfort through these dark hours and days in the recollection of their devoted partnership and their shared ideals of royal duty, as well as the deep affection of her family, the nation and the Commonwealth.

May the Duke of Edinburgh rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing.
God save the Queen!
Amen