Lord Thurso pays tribute to Duke of Edinburgh as 'a great polymath' who gave a lifetime of service
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness has praised the late Duke of Edinburgh as "a great polymath" who will be remembered for a lifetime of support to the Queen, a lifetime of service to the nation and a lifetime of encouragement to young people.
Lord Thurso also recalled how Prince Philip made many visits to Caithness and in 1957 was one of the first visitors to be given a tour of the Dounreay site – reflecting his keen and enduring interest in innovation, engineering and technology.
Lord Thurso made his remarks today during House of Lords tributes to the duke, who died on Friday at Windsor Castle at the age of 99. The Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness was among those who took part remotely.
He began by expressing "deepest regret and sympathy" to the Queen and the royal family, highlighting Prince Philip's “unflinching support” to Her Majesty throughout her reign.
“Without doubt that support has been a central plank in the success and stability of the monarchy over seven decades," Lord Thurso said.
“I join with all noble Lords in our expression of deep sympathy and sincere condolence to Her Majesty and the family.
“But in addition His Royal Highness was a man of an extraordinary range of interests and singular talents, and it is to some of those, particularly on behalf of people in Caithness, where I serve as Lord-Lieutenant, as well as more personally, that I want to pay tribute.
“For some 40 years the royal yacht Britannia came into Scrabster each summer so that the royal family could visit the Queen Mother at her home, the Castle of Mey.
“His Royal Highness, an accomplished artist, often used the time to paint, and indeed to this day visitors to the Castle of Mey can see the works he gave to the Queen Mother hanging in the dining room.
“His ability as an artist was perhaps lesser known than some of his interests but nonetheless a vital part of his character.
“Another great interest was in innovation and engineering. In 1957 he was one of the first to tour Dounreay, Britain's first experimental fast breeder reactor facility, a technology where at the time Britain led the world.
“His Royal Highness spoke knowledgeably with those on site and was deeply interested in what was happening. My father [the Hon Robin Sinclair, later the 2nd Viscount Thurso], who was there, often told me about it.
“An interest in and support for innovation, engineering and technology was a hallmark of all the work that he did.”
Lord Thurso recalled how on one occasion he hosted the Duke of Edinburgh at a reception given by the Institute of Management Services, of which the duke had been president.
“The institute is dedicated to productivity, and the study of methods of productivity in management," Lord Thurso explained.
“His Royal Highness was a highly engaged president who, as he did with all organisations he was associated with, took a keen interest in all the institute did. I at the time was patron and had the task of making a presentation, which I did with what I thought were appropriate words. However, it was clearly too long, and he said loudly, but with a big smile: 'Oh, bloody well get on with it!'"
Lord Thurso added: “While we mark his departure with great sadness, we also celebrate the long and remarkable life of a great polymath. We give thanks for a lifetime of support to Her Majesty, a lifetime of service to the nation and a lifetime of encouragement to young people.
“His attitude was 'get on with it'. He made the most of the cards dealt, and didn't worry about the cards that weren't dealt. That is an example to us all. And if we can live by that, it will be a fitting memorial for a long and productive life.”
In a statement today in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the Duke of Edinburgh's selflessness and said he had made Britain a better place.
Mr Johnson said: “By his unstinting service to the Queen, the Commonwealth, the armed forces, the environment, to millions of people young and not so young around the world, and to countless other causes, he gave us and he gives us all a model of selflessness, and of putting others before ourselves.
“He made this country a better place, and for that he will be remembered with gratitude and with fondness for generations to come.”
Related stories:
- Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness pays tribute to Duke of Edinburgh's 'long and productive life'
- Deep respect from the Highlands on death of the Prince Philip
