Churches across Sheffield pay tribute to Prince Philip with bell ringing

The act was part of a number of tributes to the Duke of Edinburgh which took place over the weekend following the news of his passing on Friday.

Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield said: "We extend to Her Majesty the Queen, to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, our deepest sympathy at the news that HRH Prince Philip has died.

"He has been the Queen’s closest companion and constant support throughout her long reign, sustaining an extraordinary burden of public duties well into his ninth decade.

"We will miss his humour and his candour, but most of all his utterly reliable presence beside the sovereign. Like the Queen, he had a profound sense of duty and of service and our national life is richer because of all that he has given."

Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip dies at Windsor Castle as Queen expresses ‘deep sorrow’

Canon Geoffrey Harbord, Acting Dean of Sheffield Cathedral added: "The whole country has been saddened to learn of the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh in his 100th year. He has been a most devoted husband and supporter of Her Majesty the Queen, always ready to promote innovation and industry, and especially through his Award Scheme keen to encourage the development of young people.

“Many in Sheffield will remember his visit to the Cathedral in 2015, accompanying the Queen at the Royal Maundy service, when, characteristically, he showed great interest in the Bishop’s strikingly modern crozier. As we give thanks to God for Prince Philip’s immense contribution to our national life, we pray especially for the Queen and all the members of the Royal family, that they may know God’s comforting presence at this time of their loss.

“Beginning at 3 pm today (Friday, 9 April) Sheffield Cathedral will be open every day from 8am to 8pm when those who wish may come to light a candle in memory of Prince Philip. Floral tributes may also be left in a designated area outside the Cathedral. Arrangements for a memorial service, which will be live-streamed on our social media channels, will be announced shortly."

The Duke of Edinburgh’s ceremonial royal funeral will take place on Saturday, April 17 at 3pm in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace said.

It will be a royal ceremonial funeral as expected and will be televised.

There will be no public element to the funeral. It will take place entirely in the grounds of the castle.

Original long-held plans for military processions through London or Windsor have been scrapped, and the royal family is asking the public not to gather at the castle or other royal residences.

Just 30 people will attend, instead of 800 as originally planned.

A full guest list will be announced on Thursday, but it will be formed of the Queen, and the monarch and Philip’s children and grandchildren, including the Duke of Sussex.

The pregnant Duchess of Sussex has been advised by her doctor not to travel to the UK for the funeral

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not attend to allow for the attendance of as many family members as possible during coronavirus restrictions, No 10 has said.

A national minute’s silence will take place at 3pm on Saturday at the start of the funeral.