Outpouring after Queen's death was overwhelming: Edward

Prince Edward says the outpouring of support following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was "overwhelming".

The Duke of Edinburgh deputised for the King as Lord High Commissioner at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on Saturday.

As he addressed the Edinburgh assembly, the prince spoke of the support he received following the death of the Queen from royal chaplains.

The monarch died in September 2022 at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire, bringing an end to a 70-year reign and sparking tributes and memorials across the UK.

"For my own part, I just want to pay personal tribute to the chaplains of the Chapels Royal and especially those here in Scotland," he said.

"There have been moments recently where I have been lucky to have sensed God's care and love.

"And who could forget the scenes that followed the passing of my mother?

"The outpouring of emotions, the demonstration of respect, love and grief was overwhelming and a privilege to experience and behold.

"I think I can speak for my whole family when I say we will remain forever grateful for that support."

Edward said the death of his father, Philip, his predecessor as duke, just the previous year, made his mother's passing "far more emotional".

The Duke of Edinburgh said he was "really touched and comforted" by how chaplains helped the royal family "behind closed doors and away from the public gaze and the scrutiny".

"I know it's part of the job description, so perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised, yet it not's necessarily what they did, it's how they did it," he said.

"Here were centuries of tradition, of rituals long practised, of prayer, of care and of comfort."