Prince Charles Personally Thanks Guards Who Took Part In Prince Philip's Funeral And Says They 'Did Him Proud'

May 07, 2021 by apost team

Losing a loved one is never easy, which is something the royal family has come to know all too well. The royal family has suffered a great loss recently with the death of Prince Philip, and Prince Charles has made sure to thank those who have helped with the family’s grieving process. Philip was laid to rest on April 17, 2021, after passing away at the age of 99 on April 9. The royal family gathered in a small, intimate setting to honor him.

Many members of the family participated in the procession. The guards kept them secured and safe during these intimate moments together. Philip was the acting colonel of the Welsh Guards from 1953 until 1975. Charles became the new colonel in 1975 after his father had passed the role on to him and has had a very strong connection with the guards ever since.

Founded in 1915, the Welsh Guards is one of the Foot Guards regiments of the British Army and also part of the Guards Division. Along with their worldwide operations, the guards also provide services to the royal family by securing their personal residences, as well as conducting ceremonial duties. The Welsh guards at Philip’s funeral were much like the royal family members themselves, as they carried themselves with grace and professionalism throughout the somber event.

Along their journey to healing, the royal family has had to work through their sadness and encounter the many stages of grief. Despite this, they have managed to collectively project calm demeanors and show appreciation for those who have stuck by their side during this difficult time.

The Guards Museum in London, England, has a showcase for the five regiments of the Foot Guards, including displays about the Welsh Guards. Opening in 1988, the military museum tells the story of all the regiments it has represented throughout history and present day. There are paintings, weapons, models and sculptures throughout the museum, depicting different regiments in their truest fashion.

While the guards are deployed on operations all around the world, they also provide security to royal residences and conduct ceremonial duties. During Philip’s funeral, members of the Welsh Guards lined the Windsor Castle Quadrangle, following the procession to St. George’s Chapel, according to Town and Country.

ET Canada reported that Charles personally thanked the guards who participated in the funeral. He even took some personal time out of his day to visit them at their barracks in Windsor on Wednesday, May 5. “I was so enormously proud of those of you who formed part of the complement during my father’s funeral recently,” the Prince of Wales told the Welsh Guards. “If I may say so, what a wonderful credit not only to the Welsh Guards, but also the Household Division and all those who were on parade, for what you all did.”

Charles informed the guards that everyone in the family was “deeply moved” by their participation in the funeral. “People from other countries rang me up to say that they had never seen anything quite so marvellous, so beautifully done and with such dignity and style,” he added.

The Prince of Wales has been coping with the loss while remaining strong in the public eye. He continued on with his beautiful, personal speech to the Welsh Guards. 

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“Of course it is something with which you are all rightly framed, but I know my father would have been also enormously touched because he had dreamt up this particular way he wanted it done,” he told them. “So you did him proud, and you certainly made your old colonel very proud indeed.”

Town and Country reported that Charles presented the group with three awards as he viewed the Battalion’s new memorial during his visit to the guards’ barracks. The Prince of Wales spoke to the Welsh Guards, thanking them for their professionalism during his father’s funeral and for all the times they have been there to support the royal family during its time of need. 

“I have managed to see the grandfathers, the fathers and now the sons, I suppose and grandsons, coming through this regiments,” Charles stated in his moving speech. “So, for me, it has been something very special and gives me a real sense of the family connections that this Battalion has.” He continued on and told the guards how proud he was of them. “So from that point of view, it has been wonderful for me and as I say, I am enormously proud of all of you,” the Prince of Wales concluded.

Although the past month has been difficult for the royal family, they have continued nothing but poise and grace and have even appeared to grow closer during their time of grief. Charles took some time to personally thank the guards who conducted the funeral procession, as they had been there to support the family members in their time of need.

What did you think of Prince Charles’ touching speech to the Welsh Guards? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your friends and family.