Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

National commemorative ceremony in honour of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh

Transcript

Transcript of National commemorative ceremony in honour of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh: closed captioning (cc)

Video length: 50:39 minutes

[WORD OF WELCOME - The Very Reverend Elizabeth J. Bretzlaff, Dean of Ottawa and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral]

As we gather from far and wide to celebrate the life of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, may this service be poignant and helpful to us wherever we may be. [Translated from French] Let us pray.

[INTROIT - The Kontakion of the Faithful Departed]

[organ music]

[choristers singing]

♪ Give rest, O Christ ♪
♪ To your servant with your saints ♪
♪ Where sorrow and pain ♪
♪ Are no more ♪
♪ Neither sighing ♪
♪ But life everlasting ♪
♪ You only art immortal ♪
♪ The Creator ♪
♪ And Maker of all ♪
♪ And we are mortal ♪
♪ Formed of the earth ♪
♪ And to earth ♪
♪ Shall we return ♪
♪ For so did ♪
♪ You ordain ♪
♪ When thou created me, saying ♪
♪ "You are dust ♪
♪ And to dust
you shall return" ♪
♪ All of us go down to the dust ♪
♪ Yet even at the grave ♪
♪ We make our song ♪
♪ Alleluia ♪
♪ Alleluia, alleluia ♪
♪ Alleluia ♪
♪ Give rest, O Christ ♪
♪ To your servant ♪
♪ With your saints ♪
♪ Where sorrow and pain ♪
♪ Are no more ♪
♪ Neither sighing ♪
♪ But life ♪
♪ Everlasting ♪

[song slowly ends]

[LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - The Very Reverend Elizabeth J. Bretzlaff, Dean of Ottawa and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral]

[Translated from French] Grace and peace be with you.
Our service today is being broadcast from the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation.
May we always dwell on this land with respect and peace.

[TRIBUTE - Albert Dumont, Algonquin Spiritual Advisor]

[speaking in Algonquin]
[Translated from French] Today, we pay tribute to Prince Philip, a man who has dedicated his life to the service of his country and the Commonwealth.
It was at the time of the Flower Moon, the last moon of spring season as feasted by the Algonquin Anishinabe, that The Duke of Edinburgh took his first breath as a human being.
Spring, a fitting season for a man to be born who would work for many years to preserve the health of the lands such as those found where wild flowers grow.
In the centre of the Fasting Circle, a human being grows greater in wisdom after days without sustenance.
A spirit comes forward to direct the ceremony's participant to honour all people of this world who take a bold stand, to rid sacred Mother Earth of pollutants slowly killing our waters, along with poisoning the winds we bring into our lungs.
The spirits of the hawk and buffalo, the sturgeon and the pine tree also send forth their blessings to the side of any person who, like The Duke of Edinburgh, act in defence of all things the Good Spirit placed before us, so we, as human beings, could live well.
The wisdom of the mature human heart speaks to the older people each day of the duty they have to the next generations.
It instructs them to point the youngsters towards many challenges and opportunities, allowing the youth to grow stronger in mind, body and spirit, to be kind and generous, to be courageous, and above all else, to be honourable.
These are the teachings The Duke of Edinburgh hoped the young people of the Commonwealth would embrace and bring fully into their identities as contributing members of their nation.
The Duke of Edinburgh was to his Queen what an island rich in healing energy is to a weary traveler on the Great River of Life.
By her side, he was for her that place she could rest and recoup, a place for her to rediscover a lost trust offered only in the rarest of sanctuaries.
To the Queen, he was as that tall pine tree we see on the horizon who graciously allows the rising moon to rest a while on its branches.
Now that the Duke has been received into the eternal embrace of his ancestors, and after the honour song they sang to welcome him among them has brought immense joy to his spirit, he will step forward to enter into sacred council with them.
The Duke of Edinburgh will speak in the circle about his years on the ocean where as a young man, he put his life in harm's way in defence and honour of his nation.
He will tell of his visits to Turtle Island, Canada, and that friendship he made with the First Peoples.
The memories The Duke of Edinburgh has of our Chiefs and of our lands will bring greater peace and joy into his eternal home.
May Creator bless The Duke of Edinburgh for the good work he did in the name of all mankind.

[OPENING PRAYER - The Very Reverend Elizabeth J. Bretzlaff, Dean of Ottawa and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral]

[Translated from French] Let us pray to the Lord.
Let us pray.
God of all consolation, in your unending love and mercy, you turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life.
Lift us from the darkness of grief to the peace and light of your presence. Grant us grace to entrust His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to your never-failing love which sustained him in this life.
Receive him into the arms of your mercy, and remember him according to the favour you bear for your people; for to you, all honour and blessing are due, now and forever.
Amen.

[READING - Ecclesiasticus 44:1-4, 7-8 - Sailor First Class Roselyne Marie-Andrée Rhéaume, Royal Canadian Navy]

[Translated from French] A reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus.
Let us now sing the praises of famous men, our ancestors in their generations.
The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning.
There were those who ruled in their kingdoms and made a name for themselves by their valour.
Those who gave counsel because they were intelligent. Those who spoke in prophetic oracles.
Those who led the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge of the people's lore.
They were wise in their words of instruction.
All these were honoured in their generations and were the glory of their times.
Some of them have left behind a name so that others declare their praise.
Amen.

[PSALM 139.1-11]

[organ music]

[choristers singing solemly]

♪ Lord, you have searched me out and known me ♪
♪ You know my sitting down and my rising up ♪
♪ You discern my thoughts from afar ♪
♪ You trace my journeys and my resting places ♪
♪ And are acquainted ♪
♪ With all my ways ♪
♪ Indeed, there is not a word on my lips ♪
♪ But you, oh Lord ♪
♪ Know it all together ♪
♪ You press upon me ♪
♪ Behind and before ♪
♪ And lay your hand ♪
♪ Upon me ♪
♪ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me ♪
♪ It is so high ♪
♪ That I cannot attain to it ♪
♪ Where can I go then ♪
♪ From your Spirit ♪
♪ Where can I flee ♪
♪ From your presence? ♪
♪ If I climb up to heaven ♪
♪ You are there ♪
♪ If I make the grave my bed ♪
♪ You are there also ♪
♪ If I take the wings of morning ♪
♪ And dwell in the  uttermost parts of the sea ♪
♪ Even there your hand will lead me ♪
♪ And your right hand hold me fast ♪
♪ If I say "Surely the darkness will cover me ♪
♪ And the light around me turn to night" ♪
♪ Darkness is not  dark to you ♪
♪ The night is as bright as the day ♪
♪ Darkness and night to you ♪
♪ Are both alike ♪

[PRAYERS OFFERED BY THE INTERFAITH COMMUNITY - Major-General Guy J.J. Chapdelaine, Chaplain General, Canadian Armed Forces]

[Translated from French] Hello.
Welcome to The Sailors' Church in the Old Port of Montréal.
I invite you to join me in prayer or to take this moment for personal reflection, to remember all that was beautiful, great and good in the life of The Duke of Edinburgh.
[Translated from French] I invite you to join me in prayer or to take this moment for personal reflection, to remember all that was beautiful, great and good in the life of The Duke of Edinburgh. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, has always drawn strength and courage from her faith during difficult moments in her life.
Following her example, let us turn to the God of all ages in this time of sorrow and sadness.
We remember before you your faithful servant, Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, for a life well lived, and for his love for his family and his fellow citizens.
We are grateful for his sense of duty and sacrifice for the sake of Queen and country.
We pray for his wife, our Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II; his children and grandchildren; and all the Royal Family: that in their sorrow they may find grace in your strength and loving care.
We pray for all people throughout the world who mourn the loss of The Duke of Edinburgh, that in our grief we may follow his example, dedicating our lives to serving our neighbours.
Remembering his service as an Officer in the Royal Navy, we pray for all the Queen's Forces, and especially for the members of the Canadian Armed Forces, at home and abroad.
Protect them in every danger, that they may perform their duties with courage and perseverance, respecting the dignity of every human being.
We remember also veterans throughout the whole of the Commonwealth; especially those who suffer from wounds in body or in spirit.
May they be honoured for their sacrifice.
In remembering The Duke of Edinburgh's great concern for the young people of this world and its leaders of tomorrow, we give thanks for the thousands of young lives that have been shaped and molded by the Commonwealth Study Conferences and the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
May young people around the world persevere in the face of challenges, and embrace diversity as a strength.
Sure of your love, strong in our faith, and remembering the words of her Majesty that, "grief is the price to pay for love".
We offer to you God of all understanding these and all our prayers.
[Translated from French] Sure of your love, strong in our faith, and remembering the words of her Majesty that, "grief is the price to pay for love".
We offer to you God of all understanding these and all our prayers.
Amen.

[THE LORD'S PRAYER]

[mellow organ music]

[choristers singing]

[Translated from French]

♪ Our Father, who art in Heaven ♪
♪ Hallowed be thy name ♪
♪ Thy kingdom come ♪
♪ Thy will be done ♪
♪ On Earth ♪
♪ As it is in Heaven ♪
♪ Give us this day ♪
♪ Our daily bread ♪
♪ And forgive us ♪
♪ Our trespasses ♪
♪ As we forgive those ♪
♪ Who trespass against us ♪
♪ And lead us not into temptation ♪
♪ But deliver us ♪
♪ From evil ♪

[FIRST ADDRESS - The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada]

Today, we take a moment to celebrate the incredible life of The Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Philip truly dedicated his life's work to the service of others.
He was a decorated naval officer, a dedicated philanthropist, a constant in the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
And here, in Canada, Prince Philip was a patron of the Canadian Armed Forces.
He devoted his life to duty and to the people of the Commonwealth.
And in the days following his passing, we've heard from countless people across Canada and around the world.
They've shared memories, stories, and spoken about his impact on their lives and their communities.
This should not come as a surprise to anyone because Prince Philip was a man of great service, a man who believed in people, and, in particular, in young people.
He challenged them to do more, to believe in themselves, and to push for a better and brighter tomorrow.
[Translated from French] Through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, he has helped to give millions of young people, from all walks of life, the means to reach their full potential.
His legacy will certainly live on through them.
Of course, as an energetic and dynamic man, the Prince was not content with just one good cause.
Around the world, he supported countless organizations and charities, including more than 40 here in Canada.
From his support of the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute or his participation in the Outward Bound program, Prince Philip has had a positive impact on our communities from coast to coast.
The Royal Family has lost a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and Canada has lost a great friend. He will be dearly missed.

[FIRST MUSICAL INTERLUDE - Amazing Grace, Appleby College String Ensemble]

♪ [melodic rendition of "Amazing Grace"] ♪

[SECOND ADDRESS - The Right Honourable David Johnston, Former Governor General of Canada]

[Translated from French] Today we celebrate the life of an extraordinary man, a man who showed the world, both in time and in civility, the deep dependence that leaders have when they put service first.

[Translated from French] Today we celebrate the life of an extraordinary man, a man who showed the world, both in time and in civility, the deep dependence that leaders have when they put service first.
His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was courteous, down-to-earth loyal and enthusiastic in all aspects of his life.
He was driven by a certainty that people could be inspired to rise to their potential if guided and supported. He was the model of the servant leader, one who puts the needs of others first, enabling them to develop and perform their duties better.
On many occasions I was blessed to see Prince Philip's character in action. Two small incidents stand out as telling.
The first was in 2010. Before my installation as Governor General, my wife, Sharon, and I were to have our first audience with the Queen, on a weekend when Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh were at Balmoral Castle.
At breakfast on Saturday, Her Majesty suggested Sharon, knowing their shared love of horses, spend a few hours at the stables tending to the horses.
Sharon was eager but surprised. She'd packed only dress shoes, not expecting her recreational weekend.
Prince Philip twigged to the predicament. Turning his chair back, he peered under the table, glanced at Sharon's feet, turned to the Queen and said, "I think she's your size."
Her Majesty disappeared from the breakfast table, returning moments later with a pair of well-worn brogues. Problem solved.
In this moment, the Queen's consort had overcome one possible obstacle to the Queen's plans. His duty was to solve the Queen's problems, however small.
[Translated from French] My second memory is when the Prince arrived in Canada as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Regiment to oversee a change-of-command ceremony.
He loved meeting soldiers, sailors and aviators. He was one of them. I was on the tarmac to greet His Royal Highness after his long flight.
I welcomed him to Canada and asked him if he might like us to change his schedule to allow for a brief rest, as I thought  a 93-year-old man might.
Not a chance. The Prince made it clear he was here to meet the troops and that he intended to get to it without delay. I was impressed, but not surprised.
He had worked his whole life to inspire others to move from self-interest to selfless service.
He saw that dynamic in the military, where men and women dedicate themselves to keeping chaos at bay, routinely putting their lives on the line to do so.
He revered them for it. And that is why he served as Colonel-in-Chief for the equivalent of 11 Canadian regiments and units.
And it's why he came to Canada on more than 60 occasions.
Just as important: he took a world-leading role preparing young people to become effective citizens of their nations.
One of his creations, the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, has been running since 1956, and is active now in 145 of the world's 195 sovereign nations.
In Canada alone, more than half a million young people have deepened their self-knowledge and expanded their potential through this program.
To this day, 40,000 Canadians participate each year.
I can think of few youth leadership programs in modern history that have generated such benefit and impact, and trained servant leaders.
[Translated from French] The two brief moments I spoke of showed me a man eager in his duty, confident in his role and comfortable in his own skin.
Ever in the service of his Queen, yet never eclipsed. Living a life of privilege, but free of arrogance. Just one voice, and a steady voice it was.
One character, but a genuine character. One servant, but a servant who proved to be a leader of remarkable reach and influence.
Through his example and through his works, the world has been made better and will continue to be in generations to come.
Rest in peace, Prince Philip.
As scripture says, "Thy good and faithful servant." We salute you. [Translated from French] And we send the Queen our deepest condolences and love.

[SECOND MUSICAL INTERLUDE - His Royal Service Ends - Royal 22e Régiment Band]

[musical crescendo]

[MOMENT OF SILENCE – Brief moment of silence]

[bells tolling]

[PRAYER OF COMMENDATION – The Right Reverend Shane A. D. Parker, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa]

Into your hands, O Merciful Saviour, we commend your servant, Philip.
Acknowledge we pray a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.
Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.
Amen.

[HYMN - I Vow to Thee My Country]

[dramatic organ music]

[choristers singing]

♪ I vow to thee my country ♪
♪ All earthly things above ♪
♪ Entire ♪
♪ And whole and perfect ♪
♪ The service of my love ♪
♪ The love ♪
♪ That asks no questions ♪
♪ The love ♪
♪ That stands the test ♪
♪ That lays
upon the altar
♪ The dearest ♪
♪ And the best ♪
♪ The love ♪
♪ That never falters ♪
♪ The love that pays the price ♪
♪ The love ♪
♪ That makes undaunted ♪
♪ The final sacrifice ♪
♪ And there's another country ♪
♪ I've heard of long ago ♪
♪ Most dear to them that love her ♪
♪ Most great to them that know ♪
♪ We may not count her armies ♪
♪ We may not see her king ♪
♪ Her fortress is a faithful heart ♪
♪ Her pride is suffering ♪
♪ And soul by soul ♪
♪ And silently ♪
♪ Her shining bounds ♪
♪ Increase ♪
♪ And her ways ♪
♪ Are ways of gentleness ♪
♪ And all her paths ♪
♪ Are peace ♪

[THE BLESSING - The Right Reverend Shane A. D. Parker, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa]

[Translated from French] Wherever you are today, may the peace of God which passes all understanding be with you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Wherever you are today, may the peace of God which passes all understanding be with you and remain with you always.
Amen.

[ROYAL ANTHEM]

♪ [organ rendition of "God Save the Queen"] ♪

[NATIONAL ANTHEM]

♪ [organ rendition of "O Canada"] ♪
[choristers singing]
♪ O Canada ♪
♪ Our home and native land ♪
♪ True patriot love ♪
♪ In all of us command ♪
[Translated from French]
♪ With glowing hearts ♪
♪ We see thee rise ♪
♪ The True North strong and free! ♪
♪ From far and wide ♪
♪ O Canada ♪
♪ We stand on guard for thee ♪
♪ God keep our land ♪
♪ Glorious and free ♪
♪ O Canada ♪
♪ We stand on guard ♪
♪ For thee ♪
♪ O Canada ♪
♪ We stand on guard ♪
♪ For thee ♪

[dynamic song finale]

♪ [solemn organ music] ♪

[organ music slowly fades]

[POSTLUDE - Prelude in A Flat Major]

♪ [organ music] ♪

[GUN SALUTE]

Three.
Fire!

[blasting]

Page details

Date modified: