Tributes paid to Prince Philip

Tributes have flooded in on the death of the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip. He died on Friday, two months short of his 100th birthday.

In an official statement, Buckingham Palace said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

Prince Philip had been ill for some time, having left King Edward VII’s hospital on 16 March after a two-month stay. During that time he underwent a successful procedure at St Bartholomew’s for a pre-existing heart condition.

The Queen and Prince Philip married in 1947 and had been together for over seven decades.

In accordance with tradition and his wishes, Prince Philip’s body will rest at Windsor Castle and the funeral will take place at St George’s Chapel. In light of the pandemic it has been “regretfully requested that members of the public do not attempt to attend/participate in any of the events that make up the funeral”.

Political parties have also announced that they will be suspending their political campaigning for the local elections and the elections of the Scottish and Welsh parliaments.

Reacting to news if the death Boris Johnson said: “It was with great sadness that a short time ago I received word from Buckingham Palace that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has passed away at the age of 99. Prince Philip earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth and around the world.”

Johnson paid tribute to Prince Philip’s record as a war hero, an environmentalist, a generous patron of charities, and a steadfast companion to Queen Elizabeth.

Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute: “The United Kingdom has lost an extraordinary public servant. Prince Philip dedicated his life to our country – from a distinguished career in the Royal Navy during the Second World War to his decades of service as the Duke of Edinburgh.”

He praised the Duke’s long marriage saying that he would be remembered for his “extraordinary commitment and devotion to The Queen.”

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, expressed “my deepest sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen and the rest of the Royal Family” on behalf of the people of Scotland. Sturgeon highlighted Prince Philip’s longstanding ties with Scotland where he attended school at Gordonstoun, holidayed at Balmoral, and was Chancellor of Edinburgh University.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, expressed his condolences as well as paying tribute to Prince Philip’s public service and environmental activism.

Leaders overseas have also joined in paying tribute and expressing their condolences.

Joe Biden, President of United States, expressed his “deepest condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the entire Royal Family, and all the people of the United Kingdom” and praised his public service in the armed forces and as husband to the Queen.

Former president Obama also paid tribute recalling that when he and his wife had visited Buckingham palace – “two Americans unaccustomed to palaces and pomp” – the duke had been “kind and warm, with a sharp wit and unfailing good humour.”

Micheál Martin, Taoiseach of Ireland, tweeted out: “Saddened to hear of the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts and prayers are with Queen Elizabeth and the people of the United Kingdom at this time.”

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India praised Philip’s “distinguished career in the military” and community service saying “May his soul rest in peace.”

Scott Morrison, Australian Prime Minister of Australia, said that the duke “embodied a generation that we will never see again”.

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, also took to Twitter to describe Philip as “A man of great purpose and conviction, who was motivated by a sense of duty to others”.

Meanwhile, the British public has been paying tributes of its own many placing flowers and letters of condolence outside the palace.