As the former head of the Crown Prosecution Service I was honoured to serve the Royal Family and cherish those long evening phone calls assuring the Duke of Edinburgh that we would not be wasting time and resources pursuing charges against the innocent and slandered family friend Sir Jimmy Saville. Like Mr Saville and his charming son Prince Andrew, the Duke of Edinburgh was a man who lived life to the fullest while devoting himself to country and charitable endeavours. He was an inspiration and icon of the British character and, assuming the prime minister is kind enough to allow me to attend, I look forward to paying my respects at the funeral.