IRISH TRICOLOUR flags were flown at half-mast while leaders in Northern Ireland joined the rest of the UK in observing a minute’s silence in memory of Prince Philip.
The Duke of Edinburgh was laid to rest at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on Saturday, April 17th, following a streamlined funeral service which featured 30 guests, including Queen Elizabeth II, and was broadcast on television.
Philip passed away just over a week ago, at Windsor Castle on Friday April 9th. He was 99 at the time.
Buried following a moving church service, Philip’s death was marked with a two-gun salute at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down, which was held to coincide with the minute’s silence observed in the UK at 3pm this past Saturday.
One round was fired to mark the beginning of the silence with the other coming at the end.
The tricolour flying at half mast at Áras an Uachtaráin today, to mark the death of Britain's Prince Philip. pic.twitter.com/wVWlQnSMes
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) April 17, 2021
Flowers were also laid by a tree planted by the duke when he first visited Hillsborough Castle, the Queen’s official residence in Northern Ireland, back in 1949.
In another touching twist a pair of Lambeg Drums, which were first used to entertain the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Hillsborough Castle 68 years ago were brought back for a short, final tribute to the Duke.
Elsewhere Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster observed the l minute’s silence for Philip’s funeral at Enniskillen Castle.
68 years after these Lambeg Drums entertained the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Hillsborough Castle in 1953, the old drums were brought back tonight for a short, final tribute to the Duke. pic.twitter.com/sxrQ0JVgf2
— Mark Simpson (@BBCMarkSimpson) April 17, 2021
She was joined by party councillors and piper Aaron Elliott outside the Co Fermanagh castle where they took a moment to remember the Duke.
“In remembrance. HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” she wrote alongside a picture from the remembrance event.
“Our prayers are with HM the Queen and the Royal Family.”
In remembrance. HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Our prayers are with HM the Queen and the Royal Family.
📍Enniskillen Castle pic.twitter.com/WdakrFPsGB— Arlene Foster DBE PC #ProudofNI. (@ArleneFosterUK) April 17, 2021
Over in the Republic, the Irish tricolour was flown at half-mast on all State buildings in recognition of the duke’s sad passing.
That approach is in line with Ireland’s national flag guidelines, which state that the Irish flag can be flown at half-mast on “all prominent buildings” following the death of a national or international figure.
Such a decision is under the advice of the Taoiseach.
@merrionstreet @simoncoveney @dfatirl Thank you for this very special gesture. @BritEmbDublin Tricolour at half mast on all State buildings for Prince Philip https://t.co/UcP5t9ls9y
— Paul Johnston (@PJohnstonFCDO) April 17, 2021
In any case, Áras an Uachtaráin, the President of Ireland’s official residence, and Iveagh House, the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs, were among those where flags were lowered.
The gesture did not go unnoticed with the UK ambassador to Ireland Paul Johnston thanking the Irish Government for something he described as “very special”.
