British Overseas Territories bid farewell to His Royal Highness Prince Philip in a formal 21-gun salute on Saturday, 10 April 2021.
His Royal Highness Prince Philip passed away on Friday, 9 April 2021 at the age of 99 years. He was the longest-serving royal consort in British history and Queen Elizabeth II’s husband for 73 years.
Highlighted are some of the events in the British Overseas Territories.
In the Cayman Islands, the 21-gun salute took place at the Government House, the Cayman Islands Governor’s residence.
At noon, Cayman Governor, His Excellency Mr. Martyn Roper, accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson, led the tribute in respect to Her Majesty the Queen’s Royal Consort the Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away peacefully on Friday morning in the United Kingdom.
In the British Virgin Islands, the 21-gun salute ceremony took place at the Queen Elizabeth II Park which was attended by Premier Andrew Fahie, Governor John Ranking CMG and other members of the House of Assembly.
Saturday’s rifle salute commemorating the life of Prince Philip was performed by members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) in Bermuda.
The event took place on the grounds of Government House with attendance by Bermuda’s Governor Rena Lalgie, Deputy Premier, Walter Roban, Opposition Leader, Cole Simons and RBR Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Benjamin Beasley.
Prince Philip was born on 10 June 1921 on the Greek island of Corfu. He married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen.
Flags in the British Overseas Territories are now flying at half-mast until after Prince Philip’s funeral. The funeral will take place at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor on a date to be announced.
Gun salutes also took place on Saturday for Prince Philip in cities including Edinburgh, London, Cardiff and Belfast, as well as in Gibraltar and at sea from Royal Navy warships from noon, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The Duke left specific instructions for his funeral arrangements. However, the funeral arrangements have been amended in light of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and will not involve public attendance, as announced.
