HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh dies aged 99
A statement issued by Buckingham Palace just after midday spoke of the Queen’s “deep sorrow” following Prince Philip’s death at Windsor Castle on Friday morning. “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss”. He was the longest serving royal consort in British history. Prince Charles said his father’s life was an “astonishing achievement. His energy was astonishing my mama (the Queen) – and doing it for such a long time, and, in some extraordinary way, being able to go on doing it for so long”.
Princes Anne said the duke “treated everyone as an individual, and gave them the respect he felt they were due as individuals”.
Prime minister Boris Johnson said that the duke had “earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth and around the world”.
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury said he “consistently put the interests of others ahead of his own and, in so doing, provided an outstanding example of Christian service”.
Westminster Abbey trolled its tenor bell once every 50 seconds for 99 times from 18:00 BST to honour each year of his life as a tribute to the duke.
Earlier the flag at Buckingham Palace was lowered to half-mast and a notice was posted on the gates to mark the duke’s death.
People placed floral tributes outside the central London landmark, while hundreds visited Windsor Castle to pay their respects.
The government urged the public not to gather or leave tributes at royal residences amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Royal Family has asked people to consider making a donation to a charity instead of leaving flowers in memory of the duke and an online book of condolence has been launched on the official royal website for those who wish to send messages.
A message on the website of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s non-profit organisation Archewell paid tribute to the “loving memory” of the Duke of Edinburgh, saying: “thank you fo your service. You will be greatly missed.”
From midday on Saturday a 41-gun salute will take place for Prince Philip in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast as well as in Gibraltar and at sea from Royal Navy warships. The ministry of Defence said they will broadcast online and on television for the public to watch from home.
Prince Philip’s funeral will take place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor – but the arrangements have been amended in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the College of Arms said in a statement
Prince Philip and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Prince Philip was born on the Greek Island of Corfu on 10 June 1921. His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark. A younger son of King George I of the Hellenes. His mother Princess Alice, was a daughter of Prince Louis of Battenberg and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
Prince Philips funeral is on next Saturday, 17th April at Windsor and prince Harry will travel to attend the funeral.
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