While concerns have been raised over the health of the Duke of Edinburgh this week, following his admission to hospital for treatment for a pre-existing condition, MPs have been debating how to mark his centenary. Prince Philip will turn 100 in June 2021 and one politician has earmarked that date for a very special event.
Almost as soon as the House of Commons was back in business following the State Opening of Parliament by the Queen on December 19th 2019, the chamber heard plans for centenary celebrations for the Duke’s big birthday. Sir David Amess, the Conservative MP for Southend West in Essex, said a competition to name a new city within the UK was being looked at to mark Philip turning 100. He made his comments on Friday, the day that Prince Philip was taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London for treatment.
Sir David has been a long time advocate of winning city status for Southend-on-Sea and he made no secret of the fact that Philip’s birthday is the date he believes his dream will come true. Speaking to fellow MPs, Sir David said that ”how does a place acquire city status? Well, there needs to be a contest….it usually takes place around a royal event..the Duke of Edinburgh is going to be 100 in 18 months’ time”.
However, the MP added ”I am working on other royal events to see how we can fine-tune the timing”. He quickly went on to explain why he was looking at different ways of getting city status and none of them are to do with Prince Philip’s health. He continued ”it would be great if it could happen next year (2020) because it will be the centenary of the mayoralty of Southend”.
Competitions to confer city status have taken place on major royal events including the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees. And Sir David is confident that Southend will win any contest going, telling the Commons ”we have got it from the Prime Minister that Southend is going to become a city”.
The Duke of Edinburgh is set to turn 100 on June 10th 2021.
