The Prince of Wales has spoken of celebrating those we have “loved and lost” with laughter as well as sorrow, as the Commonwealth prepares to commemorate the Duke of Edinburgh.

       The Prince, delivering a speech in Ireland, spoke warmly of the need to “laugh as we always laughed” in the understanding that “nothing is past, nothing is lost”.

       “This is true for all those of us who have lost loved ones in recent years,” he said. “It is true for our countries and our people too.”

       Next week, the Prince will attend the Westminster Abbey service of thanksgiving for the life of his father, who died in April 2021 shortly before his 100th birthday.

       He was afforded a “lockdown funeral” at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, with just 30 members of the congregation including the Queen, who sat alone wearing a face mask.

       Members of the Royal family, more than 30 foreign royals, the Duke's wider family and friends, along with 500 representatives from his patronages and charities, will gather next week to commemorate contribution to public life.

       The service will pay tribute to his dedication to "family, nation and Commonwealth", with a particular emphasis on the legacy he has left to help others.

       The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, the youth scheme set up by Prince Philip in 1956, will feature prominently, with a special tribute delivered by a Gold Award holder.

       The Queen hopes to make the journey from Windsor to Westminster Abbey to hear first-hand what her beloved husband meant to his country, with confirmation of her attendance likely to come only on the morning of the service.

       Among the 1,800 guests will be all four of the Queen’s children, with most of her grandchildren and her older great-grandchildren expected. The Duke of Sussex will not attend.

       In recognition of Prince Philip's long-held relationship with the Armed Forces, the Band of the Royal Marines will provide music before and after the service, which is being broadcast live on BBC One.

       The Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal Choirs will provide music during the service.

       Prince Charles made reference to remembrance during a visit to Ireland, where he delivered a speech in the city of Waterford in which he mentioned his great great-grandfather King Edward VII, who had visited in 1904.

       The sermon at his funeral was turned into a poem, Death Is Nothing At All, which the Prince said “reminds us at times when we need it most that we must celebrate those we love, to ‘laugh as we always laughed’ and understand that ‘nothing is past, nothing is lost’.

       The Prince, who is spending four days in Northern Ireland and Ireland with the Duchess of Cornwall this week, also spoke of the stark challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the “uncertainty and brutal aggression” currently faced by those in Ukraine.