Service of Thanksgiving for the Life and Service of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Reading Minster, Saturday, 16 October, 2021 at 5.00pm

The Mortimer Village Partnership was invited to attend this service on Saturday, 16 October 2021, and we had the great honour of representing our village community. 

It was hosted by HM Lord Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire, Mr James Puxley, at Reading Minster.

The service paid tribute to the enormous contribution that Prince Philip had made to the County of Berkshire. 

It was interesting to learn more about the work that Prince Philip did and how he had a gift of gathering people together to discuss world issues.  It was in 1986 that Prince Philip prompted global change by encouraging religious leaders to work together. He took it upon himself to ask leaders of the five major world religions – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism – to come and discuss how their faiths could assist the natural world and we enjoyed hearing more about this – and many funny stories about Prince Philip - from Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE. 

The Bishop of Reading the Rt Revd Olivia Graham gave a short address on the extraordinary and difficult circumstances which bought Prince Philip to the UK and how he made a new life for himself, away from his direct family. 

We also heard from three young people on the positive impact of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and how it had helped shape their lives.  Nick Harborne, CEO of Reading Refugee Support Group, also spoke on his experiences of doing the award and how it had helped him in his work in troubled countries.  It was ironic that the Refugee Support group was represented when you think that Prince Philip was himself, a refugee and an immigrant to the UK. 

Afterwards, we enjoyed hearing some personal stories from people who had known him and they were all tinged with humour and the usual straightforward approach that was typical of Prince Philip.

Thank you, MVP, for having us represent our community on a lovely October evening.

Gael Nicholls