North East pigeon racers Shaun Wellings and Edward Liddle took part in a special event today to mark the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh.
At midday Shaun 'liberated' 10 pigeons from the Angel of the North in Gateshead and Edward released 10 from Wharton Park in Durham, each bird representing a decade of the Duke's life, whose funeral took place today.
They were among more than 60 releases arranged to take place simultaneously at cathedral towns and cities across the UK and, it was hoped, at Sandringham Estate home of the Royal lofts where the Queen keeps her pigeons, as well as Windsor.
The event was organised by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA) whose patron is the Queen.
Shaun, 42, from Heaton took along his sons Harry aged eight and six-year-old Archie to release the pigeons.
He said: "It's a great honour to have been chosen. When I was 11 my parents got me a pigeon from the Queen's lofts as a birthday present - it had ER on its ring. And now this. Who'd have thought it?"
Meanwhile Edward from Waterhouses, County Durham, said he was looking forward to take part in the event: "The Duke of Edinburgh was, as my dad would say, a colourful character.
"It's an event to show our appreciation of the support they have given the sport."
He later said his pigeons were waiting from when he returned home from the liberation.
Current Covid and avian flu restrictions meant the RPRA couldn't stage a mass liberation, however they were allowed to liberate pigeons from one loft which they chose to do as a symbolic gesture of respect to the Duke.
The Royal Family began to keep pigeons in the late 19th century and the tradition has been maintained by the Queen.
The Royal Lofts are well established at Sandringham under the supervision of a loft manager. What was once known as the National Homing Union, the association received Royal patronage and became the Royal National Homing Union which has now become known as the Royal Pigeon Racing Association.
You can leave a tribute to Prince Philip with our online book of condolence: https://www.princephilipcondolences.co.uk/
Pigeons from the Royal Loft played a vital role in both the First and Second World Wars as they were used as carrier pigeons. Following on from the war, the pigeons returned to racing, winning both national and international titles for the Queen.
Ian Evans, CEO of the RPRA says: “We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh and we want to commemorate his life and show our support for the Royal Family.
"The RPRA and the Royal Family both share a rich history together as the family has had a close affinity with the sport for over 100 years, so we wanted to celebrate this by liberating pigeons across the UK.
“When accompanying the Queen to the Sandringham Estate, the Duke always showed an interest in the royal pigeons and we feel that this would be a fitting tribute.”
