A TRIBUTE published on Thurrock Nub News following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh has been complemented and recognised by his son, Prince Edward.

On 10 April we were pleased to publish the memories and tribute to Prince Philip from well-known Thurrock resident Jean Angus.

Jean played a significant role in establishing the scheme across South Essex and spoke while-heartedly about the benefit enjoyed by so many people, including her own family.

Today (Sunday, 9 May) Jean contacted us with this message: "I sent a copy of my article that you kindly put on Thurrock Nub News to Prince Edward with my family's condolences on the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. He has kindly written back to me formally saying – 'Thank you so much for your very kind letter of condolence. Your thoughtfulness is deeply touching and means a great deal at this time. The Duke of Edinburgh was one of a kind.

'While he obviously means so much to, our family and especially The Queen in so many ways, it is wonderfully reassuring to know that you, among many, are able to appreciate a little of what he was like and, more importantly, what we will all miss.'

"Prince Edward then went on to include a hand written note – 'Dear Jean, Thank you for recalling the days of the Pegasus Project and for sharing your evident pride in your children and grandchildren. It is thanks to people like you that the Award has flourished and so many are so proud of their achievements. Yours sincerely Edward.'

Jean added: "I was invited to lunch with Prince Edward on three occasions in total to publicly speak at the lunches with regard to the Pegasus Project that supported my work with New Zealand, enabling me to take two different young people who completed their Awards in New Zealand each time for lunch and on the last lunch my son Ross Angus came with me too as a DofE participant.

"Thanks once again for putting my tribute to Prince Philip and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award on Thurrock Nub News. Obviously I am very proud to have received a hand written note from Prince Edward it came as such a surprise."