How sad to be watching the funeral of HRH Prince Philip but what a splendid event it was especially considering the restrictions that the current Covid pandemic had put on proceedings.
The whole thing was class from the word go with the Military bands marching into position in Windsor Castle and then playing some of the most wonderful pieces of music all chosen by the Duke himself.
Starting with three of my personal favourites, firstly the hymn, I vow to thee my country followed by Jerusalem and then Nimrod from Elgar’s Enigma Variations, I wouldn’t have thought there was a dry eye in the house as they say, I know there was a tear in mine.
How wonderful to see the coffin with his sword, military cap and a wreath of white roses and lilies on the back of a converted Land Rover, once again Prince Philip’s idea followed by his children walking behind and lastly Her Majesty the Queen in the Royal Bentley, sadly now both vehicle manufacturers foreign owned but still British icons.
The cortege stopped outside St George’s Chapel for one minutes silence before Prince Philip’s coffin was carried into the Chapel being piped aboard by members of the Royal Navy on bosun’s whistles.
The Dean of Windsor took precedence over the Archbishop of Canterbury for the service, once again marked by the splendid music chosen, the first hymn being “Eternal father, strong to save,” better known I suspect as, “for those in peril on the sea,” another influence by Prince Philip.
There were very few shots of the Queen during the service but after a rather moving bugle rendition of the last post and the Royal Navy’s call to action, the service finished with a lone piper slowly marching through the Chapel door as the final cords of his lament gradually faded.
What a wonderful send off for a rather splendid man which leaves me to post my own small tribute although I have no recollection of where the expression came from, I imagine it may be Cockney slang in the first instance.
HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh; “Diamond Geezer.”
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About The Diary of a Country Bumpkin
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work due to losing my agent when I became a full time carer to my mother who had dementia. and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother and shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
I have written a number of different books all available on Amazon, so don't be shy should you feel the urge to purchase. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Joe-Wells/e/B06XKWFQHT/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
I can only agree. I must be getting sentimental in my golden oldie years. I watched it twice yesterday as in the afternoon I was busy cooking the evening meal and so I could relax in the even with my eldest son in my Swiss living room and watch it in comfort. It was done very well. And speaking as a cockney from Bethnal Green, I suppose we would call him a diamond geezer
If not a Diamond Geezer he certainly was a most splendid chap, or perhaps even both.
It was a beautiful service, from the moment the military processions arrived to the very last mourner moving out of sight.
It will not be the same without him. Thank you for writing this, Joe.
It certainly won’t be the same without him, Lord only knows what it will be like when the Queen dies, that will be an even bigger shock,