On the 9th of April 2021 Buckingham Palace announced the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Town Mayor of Bognor Regis released the following statement:

"It is with immense sadness that Bognor Regis Town Council learned of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.  On behalf of the elected members and officers of the council, and residents of Bognor Regis, I, Councillor Phil Woodall, Town Mayor of Bognor Regis offer sincerest condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family at this sad time.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them all."

From this date, a period of national mourning began and will continue for 8 days until the morning of the funeral.  The flags on public buildings have been lowered to half-mast where they will remain until the morning following the funeral.

At midday on the 10th of April a Death Gun Salute was fired to mark the death of His Royal Highness.  Further information can be found on The Royal Family website. 

The Duke of Edinburgh's funeral will take place on Saturday 17th April 2021 at St George's Chapel, in Windsor. The Royal Family has appealed to people who wish to pay their respects in person to stay at home instead.  The funeral will be televised, live. 

There will be a national silence at 15:00 BST before the service begins.  More details about the service are expected to be released on Thursday. 

Books of condolence

Due to the restrictions and safety measures required during the Coronavirus Pandemic, no physical books of condolence are available.

An online book of condolence has been opened on Buckingham Palace’s website: www.royal.uk.  It is expected that the Palace's online book of condolence will close at 8am on Sunday 18th April.

Residents who do not have online access can send a message of condolence to Bognor Regis Town Council, The Town Hall, Clarence Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1LD. Letters are to be received by no later than 5pm on Friday 16th April and all those received will be collated and bound.

Floral tributes

The  Royal Family have stated that they have the safety and wellbeing in mind during these challenging times.  The Family have, therefore, asked that the public do not gather at Royal Residences. 

Because of the current COVID-19 guidance and restrictions, people are urged to please avoid gathering in public places: for example, rather than laying flowers in a public area, they may wish to display a floral tribute at home.

Donations 

There is no official arrangement for giving donations in memory of The Duke of Edinburgh.

However members of the public who wish to make a donation as a tribute to His Royal Highness are encouraged to give to a charity of their choosing or one of the charities or organisations which The Duke of Edinburgh supported in his public duties.

The Royal Family website explains that, over the course of his life, The Duke of Edinburgh was patron or president of some 992 organisations, with special interests in scientific and technological research and development, industry, the welfare of young people, conservation and the environment and the encouragement of sport. 

The website has a database to find the organisations with whom The Duke of Edinburgh  was associated, should members of the people wish to make a donation in his memory.