Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has passed away at the age of 99. The news was announced by Buckingham Palace in a statement.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty the Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh,” the statement read.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The royal family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.“
It noted that “further announcements” would be made in “due course”. A cause of death is yet to be announced.
It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced 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. pic.twitter.com/XOIDQqlFPn
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 9, 2021
After falling ill at Windsor Castle, Prince Philip was taken to hospital on February 17. Palace officials at the time said he was admitted out of precaution.
He left hospital a month later on March 16, having been treated for an unidentified infection as well as undergoing a heart procedure. His illness was not COVID-19 related.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison released a statement, noting that flags would be lowered to half-mast around the country to commemorate the Prince.
“Australians send our love and deepest condolences to her Majesty and all the Royal family. The Commonwealth family joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip,” his statement read.
“God bless from all here in Australia.”
Statement on His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/6kq6Lg7cLp
— Scott Morrison (@ScoMo30) April 9, 2021
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered a heartfelt statement honouring Prince Philip and extending his deepest thoughts to the Queen and the royal family.
“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.
“He was the longest serving consort in history, one of the last surviving people in this country to have served in the second world war at Cape Matapan, where he was mentioned in despatches for bravery.
“And in the invasion of Sicily, where he saved his ship by his quick thinking and from that conflict he took an ethic of service that he applied throughout the unprecedented changes of the post war era.
“Like the expert carriage driver that he was he helped to steer the royal family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.
“He was an environmentalist, and a champion of the natural world long before it was fashionable.
“With his Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme he shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people, and at literally tens of thousands of events he fostered their hopes and encouraged their ambitions.
On the death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/rZlbY1matF
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 9, 2021
“We remember the Duke for all of this and above all for his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen.
“Not just as her consort, by her side every day of her reign, but as her husband, her “strength and stay”, of more than 70 years.
“And it is to Her Majesty, and her family, that our nation’s thoughts must turn today.
“Because they have lost not just a much-loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather and, in recent years, great-grandfather.
“Speaking on their golden wedding anniversary, Her Majesty said that our country owed her husband ‘a greater debt than he would ever claim or we shall ever know’ and I am sure that estimate is correct.
“So we mourn today with Her Majesty The Queen.
“We offer our condolences to her and to all her family.
“And we give thanks, as a nation and a Kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.”
The royal retired from his official duties on 2 August 2017, aged 96, having served as a royal for seven decades, during which he completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952 when Elizabeth was crowned Queen.
Prince Philip is survived by his wife the Queen and his children Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward and their families.
Prince Philip married Queen Elizabeth II in 1947, with whom he had four children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.
Having been created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich before his wedding to then-Princess Elizabeth, Philip was officially crowned a British prince in 1957.
Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on 10 June 1921 and was the longest-serving consort in British history.
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