His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has died at the age of 99.
The sad news was announced in a statement from the Royal Family shared late on Friday morning.
‘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,’ the statement read.
‘The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.’
Tribute to Prince Philip: ‘If there wasn’t a Duke of Edinburgh, we should have to think seriously about inventing one‘
Gallery: 14 Rare pictures of The Queen and Prince Philip
Prince Philip. Picture: Getty
The Queen and Prince Philip were married in 1947, and celebrated their 70th anniversary just under four years ago.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson posted a statement on Twitter praising the Duke of Edinburgh for his extraordinary contribution to British life, saying that, ‘We are a kingdom united both in grief and gratitude; grief at Prince Philip’s passing, and gratitude for his decades of selfless service to the country.’
On the death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/rZlbY1matF
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 9, 2021
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, and Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer also sent their condolences to the Royal Family, with Mr Starmer saying that the country ‘has lost an extraordinary public servant.’
The United Kingdom has lost an extraordinary public servant in Prince Philip.
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.— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 9, 2021
I am saddened by news that the Duke of Edinburgh has died. I send my personal and deepest condolences – and those of @scotgov and the people of Scotland – to Her Majesty The Queen and her family. https://t.co/G7ocXXOH2U
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) April 9, 2021
Further messages from around the world have poured in across various media channels; the BBC has a summary of some of the best tributes to a man hailed for his dedication and service, his ‘sense of fun’ and ‘lively personality [that] made an indelible impression’ and ‘a pillar in the life of our Queen.’
The Royal Family’s official website will share further details in due course, though on Friday afternoon the palace confirmed that flags will fly at half-mast on all royal and government buildings until the funeral.
The life and times of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
1921 Prince Philip is born
1939 Prince Philip meets Princess Elizabeth at Dartmouth
1939–46 Prince Philip on active service with the Royal Navy
1944 Prince Philip’s father dies
1947 Prince Philip marries Princess Elizabeth; becomes Duke of Edinburgh
1948 Prince Charles is born
1950 Princess Anne is born
1952 George VI dies and Princess Elizabeth becomes Queen
1956 Pilot Duke of Edinburgh Award for Boys; an Award for Girls is begun in 1958
1960 Prince Andrew is born
1964 Prince Edward is born
1969 Princess Alice dies
1972 The Queen and Prince Philip celebrate their silver wedding
1977 The Queen celebrates her Silver Jubilee
1992 Three of his children’s marriages dissolve; fire starts at Windsor Castle
1997 The Queen and Prince Philip celebrate their golden wedding
2002 The Queen celebrates her Golden Jubilee
2007 The Queen and Prince Philip celebrate their diamond wedding
2009 Prince Philip becomes the longest-serving British royal consort
2011 The Queen appoints The Duke as Lord High Admiral of the Royal Navy
2012 The Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee
2016 Prince Philip becomes the world’s longest-serving royal consort on October 13 and the longest-lived male descendant of Queen Victoria on December 13
2017 Prince Philip steps down from official duties. He and The Queen celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary 2019 He becomes the longest-lived descendant of Queen Victoria on April 19
2021 Prince Philip passes away peacefully at Windsor Castle in the early hours of April 9
20 rare and wonderful pictures of The Queen and Prince Philip
With Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh both now having passed away, we take a look back
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s 70th anniversary portraits
To mark their 70th wedding anniversary, HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh have posed for a series
