Bell Tolls for Duke of Edinburgh, and Prayers for Royal Family

The bell at St Peter’s Church, Hambledon, tolled 99 times yesterday in remembrance of the life of the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday.

Today (Sunday April 11th) prayers were said for the Royal Family at the 9am service, which ended with the congregation assembling outside to sing the National Anthem.

Derek Miller was the bell ringer at midday yesterday as Hambledon associate vicar Simon Willetts and a small number of villagers gathered outside to witness the occasion. 

Bell Tolls for Duke of Edinburgh, and Prayers for Royal Family. A limited number of worshipers are allowed inside the church under the recent relaxation of Coronavirus restrictions and Simon said he wanted to share with villagers prayers for the Queen and other members of the Royal Family as they mourn the passing of Prince Philip, who was 99.

The 9am service is open to those who register their wish to attend on the Busbridge and Hambledon Churches website here: https://www.bhcgodalming.org/

Services are also streamed on line and details can be found by clicking on the same link.

 in Hambledon, tributes have been paid by our vicar, MP and Parish Council chairman. Under current Government Coronavirus guidelines, a physical Book of Condolence is not allowed. An on-line one is to be made available. Details can be found here: https://www.royal.uk/.

The Union Jack is flying at half-mast at St Peter’s Church. Tomorrow (Saturday April 10th) the church bell will be rung 99 times, beginning at 12 noon. Villagers are welcome to attend but must remain outside and observe 2 metre distancing.

Simon Willetts, associate vicar of Hambledon, said: “On behalf of the parish of St. Peter’s, we are deeply saddened by the news of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.  We offer our condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and her family. We are holding them all in our prayers, may he rest in peace and rise in glory.”

Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey and a Hambledon resident, said: “Today all of us are feeling a special sense of sadness following the loss of the Duke of Edinburgh. He personified a sense of duty which made us proud of the Royal Family and proud to be British. He sacrificed his own ambition as a promising Royal Navy officer to dedicate himself to a life of service at the Queen’s side and her wonderful longevity is in no small part thanks to his unstinting support. We remember Her Majesty on this sad day and will hold her and her family in our thoughts and prayers.”

John Anderson, chairman of Hambledon Parish Council, said: “It is with great sadness that we learnt today of the death of HRH Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Phillip was a man who has always served our country loyally with devotion to duty and has supported Her Majesty the Queen throughout her reign.

As consort he has carried out his role with good grace and good humour in his own inimitable way. Our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty and all her family at this very sad time.”

For other village information following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, please see previous news stories on this website, including how to sign the official Book of Condolence.