The BBC covered his life, in death, extensively, starting eulogies the moment the notice went up on the gates of Buckingham palace yesterday, and put them on repeat. I gotta say they were pretty damn good! Respectful and informative. They’re doing more now, as I sit here a day later. The BBC has a thing for the monarchy despite its leftishness. There’s a sense, I sense, of the end of an era. And what of the Queen? And then of the monarchy itself?
I learnt from these encomiums that the Duke of Edinburgh was a true polymath. A naval man who fought in WW2, commanded his own warship took part with distinction in the liberation of Sicily. A sportsman of more than average skill, cricket, horse riding, sailing. He won a Cup at the famous regatta in Cowes. A not too bad amateur painter, like Churchill, he owned over 1,000 books on art. Less well known, he was interested in poetry and had 500 books on that. That’s a decent library! He was interested in engineering and promoted British skills throughout his life. He was an early promoter of saving the whale: he founded the Fund for the conservation of nature.
It was said at the time that had he not married the then princess he would have become the First Lord of the Admiralty, such were his leadership skills.
And that’s not event me thinks most well known legacy: the Duke of Edinburgh Award, to encourage self reliance in young people. Over 7 million in 130+ countries have taken part.
What a life!
