A SERVICE of commemoration for the late Duke of Edinburgh was held in the Tyne Valley – on the eve of his funeral.

The Churches Together service took place at Hexham Abbey on Friday, April 16 at 6pm and was attended by the Vice Lord Lieutenant and the High Sherriff.

Summarising his homily read at the service, Rev’d David Glover, Chaplain to the Queen, said on the death of HRH The Prince Philip: “As a Chaplain to the Queen, I have always felt that the most important aspect of my role is to pray for the Queen everyday and to hold her and her family in God’s care and blessing.

“As our nation and Commonwealth mourns the death of Prince Philip, and as we thank God for his years of outstanding service, we remember that first and foremost, he was a husband, rock and support to his wife, Her Majesty the Queen.

“He fully understood and inhabited that supportive role and gave his life so generously to enabling the monarchy to flourish.

“My prayers, at this time, are full of thanks for Prince Philip’s life but also for the Queen who now faces life without her beloved husband. I pray that she would know the abundant blessings of God, in whom she deeply trusts.”