Prince Charles pays tribute to father Prince Philip as he talks of ’empty seat at the table’

Prince Charles paid a touching tribute to his father Prince Philip in a video message marking the end of Ramadan and said that like so many families this year, his own will also have an ’empty seat at their dinner table.’ 

In a heartfelt address made during a virtual Iftar – the communal breaking of the fast – the Prince of Wales, 72, spoke out about the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country.  

He said: ‘The last year I know has been deeply challenging for us all, and I am only too aware of the impact of the pandemic on the Muslim community.

‘This year so many families, like my own, will have an empty seat at their dinner table and friends will no longer be able to share the celebratory hug after Eid prayers.’ 

The Duke of Edinburgh died aged 99 in 9 April 2021 following 73 years of marriage to the Queen. Pictured, Battle of Trafalgar bicentenary commemoration service, St Paul’s Cathedral, London 23 October 2005

Prince Charles, 72, paid a touching tribute to his late father Prince Philip in a video message marking the end of Ramadan and said that like so many families this year, his own will also have an 'empty seat at their dinner table'

Prince Charles, 72, paid a touching tribute to his late father Prince Philip in a video message marking the end of Ramadan and said that like so many families this year, his own will also have an ’empty seat at their dinner table’

He continued: ‘I can only say how deeply saddened I am by this tragic situation and how my heart goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones.’ 

The Iftar appearance was organised by the Naz Legacy Foundation and also included contributions from Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, the Bishop of London and the Chief Rabbi. 

The online event was just one in a series of virtual celebrations aimed at encouraging people to stay at home during Ramadan, which will end on Wednesday. 

The Duke of Edinburgh died aged 99 in 9 April 2021 following 73 years of marriage to the Queen. 

In the heartfelt video address made during a virtual Iftar - the communal breaking of the fast - the Prince of Wales (pictured) spoke out about the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country

In the heartfelt video address made during a virtual Iftar – the communal breaking of the fast – the Prince of Wales (pictured) spoke out about the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country

Today, the Prince of Wales supported his mother The Queen as she carried out her first major public ceremonial duty since being widowed a month ago. 

Her Majesty arrived at the Houses of Parliament this morning for a scaled-back, socially-distanced State Opening where she will not wear the two-pound Imperial State crown. 

The centrepiece of the ceremony, the Crown Jewels which weigh two pounds and eight ounces, are now too heavy for the 95-year-old Queen to wear. 

Charles’s presence at her side this year, so soon after the death of Philip aged 99 on April 9, will be seen as a sign of things to come at future royal engagements. 

Her Majesty is accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the State Opening this morning

Her Majesty is accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the State Opening this morning

Queen Elizabeth II arrives for the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London this morning

Queen Elizabeth II arrives for the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London this morning

He has been at his mother’s side for three state openings – in December 2019, October 2019 and in June 2017.

He stepped in for his father Philip in 2017 after the duke fell ill with an infection, two months before he retired from public duties.

It is the first time the Queen has conducted an engagement outside of Windsor Castle since her husband died – and only the second time she has been at Buckingham Palace since she retreated to Windsor in March last year during the first lockdown.

She briefly visited when she travelled to London to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey last November.

Philip, the nation’s longest reigning consort, spent decades accompanying the monarch to the grand occasion at Parliament, sitting on an ornate golden throne at his wife’s side. 

Prince Philip, who designed his own Land Rover defender hearse, was laid to rest at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on 17 April 2021. 

The Queen – like all 30 guests who attended the service – wore a face mask and sat by herself in the quire of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, while all mourners followed Covid guidelines and remained socially distanced. 

Among the guests were the Duchess of Cornwall, all of the duke’s grandchildren and their spouses, the children of the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret and three of Philip’s German relatives – Bernhard, the Hereditary Prince of Baden; Donatus, Prince and Landgrave of Hesse; and Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. 

Also in attendance was a close friend of the duke, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, previously known as Lady Romsey and later Lady Brabourne, who was Philip’s carriage driving partner and one of his closest friends.