It was today announced that his Royal Highness Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh had passed away. It is a day of great sadness for Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family and we offer to them the sincerest condolences from all of us at the Greater Manchester Lieutenancy.
His was a remarkable life of service both to her Majesty the Queen and to this Country. His career of exemplary service to this country started during the Second World War.
He visited Greater Manchester many times and had a long history of support for Salford University which started in 1953 when he succeeded his Majesty King George the Sixth as Patron of the Royal Technical College, Salford. In 1967 having merged with the Royal College of Advanced Technology he became the first Chancellor of the University of Salford. He visited the University many times as Chancellor and after he stood down in 1991 he continued to show an interest in the University opening the University’s Acoustic facility in 2008, and the University of Salford at Media City UK in 2012. Shortly before his retirement, he entertained the Vice-Chancellor and a small group from Salford University at a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the University.
He opened the new terminal at Manchester Airport in 1962 which was then the first in Europe to incorporate a ‘pier’ system, in which passengers remain under cover until ready to board the aircraft. He revisited in 1993 to open Terminal 2.
His Royal Highness first considered the idea of a national programme to support young people’s development in the autumn of 1954 and launched the pilot for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in February 1956. In 1979 he visited the scheme in Wigan, Oldham and Manchester and it thrives in Greater Manchester supporting young people across the County.
His visits across the county were countless and enjoyed by thousands of people; his service will be long remembered.
Flags across the County should fly at half mast until 8am on the day after the funeral of His Royal Highness and The Lord-Lieutenant will observe a period of Royal mourning until the 23rd April.
A book of Condolence can be found on the Royal website here