Landmarks to be lit purple as mark of respect to Prince Philip on day of funeral

Penshaw Monument, Northern Spire bridge, Hylton Castle, The Beacon of Light, Keel Square, the white lighthouse at Seaburn, Fulwell Mill, Market Square and High Street West will be lit up purple from dusk as a mark of respect to the Royal.Sunderland will also join the nation in observing a minute’s silence at 3pm in memory of His Royal Highness to coincide with the start of his funeral service at Saint George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Union flags at the civic centre which were lowered following Prince Philip’s death last Friday, will remain at half mast until 8am on Sunday.The Right Worshipful Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor David Snowdon, said: "The Duke of Edinburgh played a huge role in this life of this country for more than 70 years so it’s entirely right that we should mark his death in this way."Many aspects of his extraordinary life have only come to the fore since his death. He was also a man of wide ranging interests which included everything from the welfare of young people, the environment, wildlife and industry to naval history, painting and birdwatching."But it is his steadfast support for Her Majesty The Queen in his role as the longest serving consort in British history that The Duke of Edinburgh will be best remembered for."He also touched the hearts of people in Sunderland during his frequent visits to our city over the years.“Prince Philip also leaves a lasting legacy in the form of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, which he himself so wonderfully described as 'a DIY growing up kit'. Generations of young people across our city have been helped to get the most out of life thanks to the award with its emphasis on skills, confidence and resilience. These qualities will live on in the hearts of all those who have taken part in the scheme for many years to come."So I hope people across the city will join me in taking a moment to pause and remember Prince Philip at 3pm on Saturday and to also think of the Royal Family at this very sad time."On Friday at 6pm the Mayor will join the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear and a small invited congregation at Sunderland Minster for a Service of Evening Prayer to remember and celebrate the life of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip.

The service will be led by the Provost The Revd Canon Stuart Bain. The service will be live streamed on Sunderland Minster's YouTube Channel.Meanwhile BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards will lead nearly six hours of coverage broadcast from Windsor across three programmes on Friday and Saturday, while ITV News' funeral coverage on Saturday will be led by Tom Bradby and Julie Etchingham.There will be a national one minute silence at 3pm to mark the start of the service.See Monday's Sunderland Echo for an eight-page special supplement on the funeral.