Were you up Saturday morning, perhaps with teacup in hand, watching the funeral of Prince Philip?
I realize there are monarchists and those who find all of it a lot of rubbish. Personally, I am fascinated by the royals.
I could not quote chapter and verse about their military service or the full line of succession, but I am like the general population who enjoys the pomp and circumstance and, to be honest, the gossip that swirls around them.
However, on the day of the funeral as the sun shone so brightly on Windsor Castle, I found myself incredibly sad.
Not for a monarch or a head of state, but for a grieving widow — for that tiny woman, dressed all in black, who is slightly stooped from age but ever so stoic.
Queen Elizabeth II was a lady alone after 73 years of marriage. On a human level, how heartbreaking is that? She looked so very alone in the pew of St. George’s chapel.
The service was beautiful despite there being a limit of 30 people attending because of COVID regulations.
No choir was allowed, but four singers filled the church with melody.
A bagpiper’s lament.
A long and full life remembered.
I wondered what each of the members of the family was thinking. What memories came flooding back? Past weddings and funerals, no doubt.
Of course, all eyes were on Princes William and Harry whose rift has become well known since the much-publicized Oprah interview.
I thought my heart would burst when Harry, William and Kate walked and chatted together like old times after the service. It was a touching moment.
What a perfect and seemingly spontaneous gesture to honour their grandpa.
The pageantry always impresses me. I have always admired the family’s sense of duty. Duty over self.
The Queen’s duty to her country. Prince Philip’s duty to Her Majesty.
The family’s tradition of service.
So, the funeral brought up, for me, another sadness.
To be blunt, do we care anymore for our planet, our country, our fellow citizens?
Would we give up anything for anyone or anything these days?
I realize people would still do what they could to protect their immediate family, but how far does that extend?
We are now in lockdown number three in Ontario. Call it what you will, but I see it as complete selfishness to be refusing to wear masks or get vaccines that have been shown to protect the general population.
These public rallies against the regulations strike me as immature. In fact, they make me angry.
Let’s face it, there will always be rule followers and rule breakers.
There will be those who think their rights and freedoms take precedence over mine or yours.
At least point, no amount of science data or more public education is going to magically change minds that refuse to be changed.
Nobody likes the restrictions. Everyone is confused and frustrated. Still, it is the right thing to do to follow the guidelines and do the best we can.
Again, I go back to the royals who followed COVID protocol. Masks, social distancing all in evidence.
No doubt, it would have been a much bigger event in different times even if Prince Philip didn’t want a royal service.
I guess my point is that some people in this world have been required to give their life and career to something greater than themselves.
We are simply being asked to stay home. Yet, we complain and moan and try to make end runs around the rules and then make excuses as to why we should be allowed to do as we please.
There is still such a thing as personal and social responsibility. I hope we rise to the occasion.
Thank you, Prince Philip, for your example.
To quote Hamlet: “Good night, sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
