Entertainment
Sir David Attenborough shares poignant tribute to ‘extraordinary’ Prince Philip as he’s laid to rest
Sir David Attenborough has remembered his close friend Prince Philip in the midst of the coverage of his funeral.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who died at the age of 99 earlier this month, was widely praised throughout his lifetime for his devotion to the environment and conservation – something which Sir David has also dedicated his career to.
Speaking to the BBC, the 95-year-old broadcaster said of the Royal: ‘He was right there at the beginning at a time when conservation didn’t mean much to many people. Even in the 1950s and 60s he saw it universally.
‘The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) owed a huge amount to his presence. When he spoke about conservation, he spoke about it with passion and knowledge.’
He went on: ‘He was an extraordinary combination of being formidable and friendly. You knew he was there. He had an amazing presence. It was an extraordinary balancing act between formality and informality.’
Prince Philip had previously been President for the World Wild Fund for Nature, touring the world and meeting environmentalists as part of his role.
The Duke had previously spoken of his involvement in environmental causes back in 2011.
Speaking to Fiona Bruce while marking his 90th birthday, he said: ‘If we’ve got this extraordinary diversity on this globe it seems awfully silly for us to destroy it.
‘All these other creatures have an equal right to exist here, we have no prior rights to the Earth than anybody else and if they’re here let’s give them a chance to survive.’
Prince Philip was laid to rest at Windsor Castle, with just 30 guests attending his funeral in line with coronavirus restrictions.
Sir David is just the latest celeb to pay tribute to the Prince on the day of his funeral.
Piers Morgan offered his condolences, sharing a photo of the Queen as she sat alone during the ceremony.
He wrote: ‘Has there ever been a more heart-breaking picture of The Queen?
‘The cruel separation and loneliness suffered by so many in this pandemic, now endured by the world’s most famous women as she says goodbye to her husband of 73 years. Just devastating.’
While his former Good Morning Britain co-star Kate Garraway shared the same photo on her own Instagram page, with the message: ‘So alone, my heart breaks for her and so so many others who have lost loved ones this year.
‘Just shows who ever you are the pain of grief and the loneliness is brings. #heartbreaking.’
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Prince Philip funeral: Key details
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh passed away on Friday April 9, just two months shy of his 100th birthday.
Today, the Duke was interred in the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel – where he will remain until his wife of 73 years dies, whereupon they will be buried together.
Although well-wishers were urged to not line the streets of Windsor, they could watch the ceremony on TV.
Here are the key details:
