Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, dies aged 99: 'A pillar in the life of our Queen'

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

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.'

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.'

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

Credit: HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip's 70th wedding anniversary (Royal Family/Matt Hollyoak)

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