Queen Elizabeth II Honors Prince Philip’s Closest Aides In Poignant Manner

Jun 14, 2021

The passing of the Duke of Edinburgh on April 9, 2021, left members of the royal family as well as ardent supporters of the British monarchy in grief. The accomplished and celebrated consort to Queen Elizabeth II will always remain one of the most endearing members of the royal family. 

Prince Philip lived an incredibly full life until he died at the age of 99 earlier this year. Not only was his life an extraordinary one, but his marriage was too —  Elizabeth and Philip celebrated 73 years of marriage together, officially making theirs the longest royal marriage on record. Always by each other’s side, the couple endured a lot in their over-seven-decade-long relationship.

On top of serving as the queen’s consort for over 70 years, Philip was known to be Her Majesty’s rock, as well as a guiding light for the entire royal family. She spoke of this on more than one occasion, while Prince William and Prince Harry have also spoken of their fondness for their grandfather. In fact, it was Prince Philip who persuaded William and Harry to walk behind their mother’s coffin at her funeral.

In a beautiful gesture, Elizabeth presented Philip's most loyal and trusted aides, who took part in his funeral procession, as well as members of the military who formed his coffin bearer party and the Land Rover hearse crew with a special set of rare Demise awards on what would have been his 100th birthday on June 10, 2021. Elizabeth recognized the services of the people who helped Philip through his life. 

In the wake of Prince Philip's death, a special set of rare Demise awards and honors were issued and poignantly announced on what would have been his 100th birthday. In the announcement, Elizabeth recognized the service of those closest to Philip. 

One of the people who was awarded included Philip's long-serving private secretary Brigadier Archie Miller-Bakewell, who, The Mirror reported, was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO). Philip's valet David Berwick, who worked for the Duke of Edinburgh for 46 years and joined his staff in 1975, has been made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO).

Elizabeth last awarded the Demise honors 19 years ago in 2002, in a list that was combined following the deaths of her mother Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and sister Princess Margaret. In 2002, she chose to honor important members of the staff such as private secretaries, ladies in waiting and the bearer party.

Other people who were recognized for their service to Philip in the 2021 Demise honors also included Brigade Major Lieutenant Colonel Guy Stone, who was in overall charge of the military arrangements during the funeral, Corporal Louis Murray who drove the hearse and Corporal Craig French, who was the commander making sure everything was clear for the hearse. 

Stone, 48, is from Notting Hill and described the funeral as the monumental experience of his long career. "I've never been involved in anything where everyone was working so hard, regardless of their role, to make it so right and that made me exceptionally proud to be part of the Armed Forces," Stone told the news outlet.

Warrant Officer Andrew Stokes received a Royal Victorian Order for his service and told The Mirror that he was "hugely delighted yet humbled" to be considered for the award and that his recognition came as a "great surprise." 

It will be a surreal experience, as it is every year in my role as the Garrison Sergeant Major, but in 2021 with the knowledge that I have been recognized for 'distinguished personal service to the monarch' it will be a particularly proud one," Stokes added.

The Mirror also reported that Lance Sergeant Joshua Andrews of the Grenadier Guards came off paternity leave voluntarily after the birth of his third child, daughter Luella, to carry the duke's coffin. He has been awarded the Royal Victorian Medal (Silver). At the time of the funeral, he said, "Being in The Queen's Company for as long as I have, it means the world that I have the honor to lift and carry Her Majesty's husband. It is something that will go down in history and my little girls will grow up knowing that their dad was a part of it." 

The Demise honors are reported to be the queen's gift and they are bestowed independently of the British Government. They recognize the people who have personally served the royal family. There are many members of Philip's staff that have served him faithfully for decades despite his legendary displays of temper. 

These honors show that no one is overlooked by the royal family for their service. Philip will be greatly missed, but these honors announced on the first birthday without him are a truly beautiful way to pay tribute to the beloved late Queen Consort. 

What do you think of Queen Elizabeth presenting the Demise awards to recognize the people who were closest to Prince Philip? Tell us about your thoughts, and be sure to pass this onto others as well.