The funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was filled with the traditions of a thousand years of British history. 

It resounded with the enduring power of the monarchy. It was all quiet and cloaked in dignity gathered from association and connection with events dating back to 1066. It made me feel very British and at one and the same time, gave me pause to reflect on what is the ultimate reality; the passage of time.    

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“Pipers Lament”

Not everyone felt that way. I asked someone remarkably close to me if he had watched the funeral of Prince Philip and he asked: “Is he the one with the big ears?” That will show you not everyone follows the Royal family. 

Now during the events of recent days, I learned much. For one, it was a nice inside view of Windsor Castle. I have been there several times but as a tourist and you do not really get a full sense of its place in history. 

The funeral let me “inside,” away from the crowds. The sound was great. The hooves of the horses. The measured cadence of soldiers marching. Even the sound of the Range Rover that carried the casket was right for the occasion. Philip was a Range Rover guy. 

In terms of highlights, there were several. One powerful enduring image was the solitary loneliness of the Queen sitting by herself, head bowed, in St. George’s chapel. The scene conveyed exactly that she was very alone. Apart from the complex trappings of royalty, Prince Philip, the Queen’s partner of 70 years, was dead.

The other image that struck me and honestly it might be related to production values, was that of the casket of the Duke of Edinburgh dropping through the floor of St. George’s Chapel down into the Royal vault and into eternity. That picture was not carried live on television.

The networks switched by agreement to a solitary piper playing Pipers Lament, but I saw the coffin lowering later. 

The temporary resting place will be under the altar with other Royals until the Queen passes at which time she and the Duke will be buried together.  

Symbol of England

What really made the funeral for me were contrasts. There were no rewrites of popular songs by aging pop stars like Elton John. Oprah Winfrey wasn’t invited, and neither was George Clooney. It was all so very Royal.

On one level it was glorious and magnificent, but on another, it was just sad. A generation said goodbye to someone who had been part of and a symbol of England for so very many years

NTV’s Jim Furlong can be reached by emailing: jfurlong@ntv.ca

Newfoundland was the first stop, and it turns out that on a royal tour’s first stop Her Majesty hosts a press reception. 

It was not just the local boys. It was for the international press. The international press were like animals and they were not all monarchy supporters. Several called the Royal couple; Philip and I. It was kind of an ongoing joke. 

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‘Your majesty’

The reception was held at Government House. Security was airtight like I had never seen before. Full police clearances and everything else. Now I am sure you have read since the death of The Duke of Edinburgh that there is a whole protocol to meeting the Queen. It is all true. You extend your hand and let her take it. You do not grab hers. She speaks first. You call her “your Majesty” in the first exchange. After that, ma’am is in ham. I was announced as my turn came in the receiving line. “From Newfoundland Broadcasting; Mr. Jim Furlong.”

If you have not met her, the Queen is way shorter than you think. She is a tiny person. I walked over to her and bowed slightly, and she extended her hand.  

She said, “It is very nice to meet you.” I replied, “Thank you very much your Majesty, I hope you enjoy your stay.” 

That was it. My moment was over.

The next media person was being introduced and I moved on down to Prince Philip. He spoke to me. He said, “Newfoundland Broadcasting. Is that a local television station?” I explained that we were local and were part of the CTV Network. 

He asked if we had anything to do with CBC and I explained we were like ITN in Britain. He said television sounded like interesting work. 

I told him it was very much so and I moved on. That was it. I do remember that Prince Philip pronounced the word Newfoundland correctly. 

Finding the press pass

I am not much on meeting famous people, but I have to confess there is part of me that was just glowing after being at that reception. You know,  in the middle of it a thought flashed through my mind. I wished my parents could have seen me. They died when I was a boy. What a strange thought. 

Also, in writing this article I rummaged around a filing cabinet in my home. In the bottom drawer was my press pass. I have kept it since 1978 to remind me of meeting Philip and I.

NTV’s Jim Furlong can be reached by emailing: jfurlong@ntv.ca