Prince Philip: How Scotland's Remembering The Duke Of Edinburgh

On the eve of Prince Philip's funeral, Forces News has revisited Edinburgh, a city important to the Duke throughout his life, and has seen how he is being remembered north of the border.

105 Regiment Royal Artillery will perform a salute for the Duke, firing their light cannons in memory of Prince Philip's historic connection with the unit, the city and Scotland as a whole.

The Prince was honorary Air Commodore to RAF Kinloss and took the royal salute when it was handed over to the British Army.

He served as Royal Colonel to the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, which will be among those to perform a ceremonial role at his funeral service.

Over his time there he made regular visits to Canongate Kirk church, where he is remembered by the minister there, former Army chaplain Reverend Neil Gardner, for his "lively mind".

"He was a very clever man; he had a great capacity to make connections and to realise the potential in people and in projects.

"He had a sense of humour, of course, that was famous or infamous sometimes, but that's part of who he was; it was part of his quick wit and sharp and very lively mind, but he was a clever man."

Scotland was also the place that helped Prince Philip shape perhaps one of his most lasting legacies – the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme.

His formative years at Gordonstoun School in the Highlands instilled the principles of outdoor learning and service he would pass on to following generations.

He served as Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh for more than 50 years and took a keen interest in the university's officer training corps.

Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Taffs, the Commanding Officer of the training corps, remembered how important youth development was to the Duke. 

"He played a really important role here, he was a regular visitor to the unit and as such was widely respected and remembered by all those who served over the years alongside him.

"He, I think, had a real interest in the development of young people, which is an important part of this unit.

"We attract and nurture university students and develop their leadership potential for either their later civilian careers or for service in the Armed Forces and I think that really struck a chord with him.

"Particularly at a time when he was setting up his Duke of Edinburgh's Awards and so that development of young people is extremely important and I think he enjoyed his visits here," he added.

All public elements of the funeral taking place on Saturday have been cancelled.

The event will be televised and will take place entirely within the grounds of Windsor Castle, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

The Royal Family has asked for people to stay safe and not to gather at Royal residences in light of COVID restrictions.

Tributes from the Armed Forces and across the world have continued to be paid to Prince Philip since his death on Friday 9 April at the age of 99.