Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, paid tribute to the duke of Edinburgh this week on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
The DUP’s MLA for Fermanagh-South Tyrone told the Northern Ireland Assembly that she wanted to celebrate his outstanding service to the UK and his unstinting support to the Queen. She noted how he had given up a glittering career in the Royal Navy to devote himself to supporting the queen.
Foster and Queen Elizabeth have much in common, not least dutiful consorts and a tendency to say “my husband and I”.
“The romance between Prince Philip and the then Princess Elizabeth captivated the nation. Always one step behind her majesty, as protocol dictates, he has been a constant source of support for the queen. Next year we celebrate 60 years of her majesty’s reign. We look forward to those celebrations, and today we reflect on the valuable role that the duke of Edinburgh has played.”
He was also known for his wit and humour, added Foster. “I recall during a recent visit that the duke of Edinburgh met my husband and I at a garden party at Coleraine. As he was going along the line-up he asked my husband, “What do you do?” to which my husband said, “I just support her.”
The duke responded by saying: “Don’t rub it in.”
