Australians pay tribute to Prince Philip in condolence book

More than 20,000 Australians have penned tributes to Prince Philip ahead of his funeral. SEND YOURS IN

Thousands of Australians have signed a condolence book following the death of Queen Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip.

More than 20,000 Australians have paid their respects in an online condolence book opened by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet since Philip’s passing on April 9.

The condolences will be sent to Buckingham Palace and archived by the Commonwealth of Australia following Philip’s funeral on April 17.

“It may in future be displayed at its national institutions, such as the National Library of Australia, forming part of the lasting record of Australia’s close relationship with The Duke over many decades,” the department said.

During his service, the duke visited Australia more than 20 times including without the Queen.

The monarch’s first visit took place in 1954 and took in tours of the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

Philip witnessed key moments in Australia’s history including the opening of the Royal Australian Mint in 1965, the Sydney Opera House in 1973, and Parliament House in 1988.

The duke was also patron or president to almost 50 Australian organisations, including The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme which has been inspiring young Australians for 65 years.

The chair of the scheme, the Hon Gary Nairn AO, said Philip was “a committed champion of young people”.

“We have lost a great man who, over more than 60 years, gave inspiration to young people to explore their potential and achieve success via The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award,” Mr Nairn said in a statement.

“Prince Philip leaves behind a wonderful legacy that will continue to benefit youth across the world. The National Board of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia is the custodian of his legacy in Australia and working with HRH Prince Edward, who has been leading the Award internationally on behalf of his father, will maximise the opportunities for young Australians into the future.”

SEE PHOTOS OF PHILIP’S TIME IN AUSTRALIA BELOW

The Queen with the Duke of Edinburgh greets well-wishers in Central Park, Bourke, a small settlement north west of Sydney, on March 22, 2000. Picture: PA Images via Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh ride on a tram through Melbourne’s CBD in 2011, past huge crowds of well-wishers. Picture: PA Images via Getty Images

Prince Philip greets well-wishers on the final day of the Queen's Australian tour at the Great Aussie BBQ on October 29, 2011 in Perth. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited Canberra, Brisbane, and Melbourne before heading to Perth for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. The end of this visit marked the Queen’s 16th to Australia. Picture: Getty Images

The Queen and Prince Philip at the BBQ on The Esplanade, Perth, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on 29 October, 2011. Picture: Stewart Allen

Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip depart Perth for London following a visit to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on October 29, 2011.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip greet members of the public at the Sydney Opera House on March 13, 2006, during a five-day visit to Australia where she officially opened the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

The Duke of Edinburgh talks to Aboriginal performers after watching a culture show at Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park, Cairns, Queensland, in 2002. The Duke surprised the performers when he asked them “Do you still throw spears at each other?”. Picture: PA Images via Getty Images

Prince Philip at Phillip Island, Melbourne, during a royal visit on March 23, 1973.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during their visit to Australia in April 1970. Picture: William Lovelace/Daily Express/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II being helped ashore followed by Prince Philip during their Royal Visit to Australia in 1970.

Prince Philip visits Hobart in 1967 in the aftermath of the fires. He arrived aboard a RAAF Vickers Viscount. Picture: Mercury Historical Archive image.

Prince Philip was an enthusiastic spectator at the Olympic Pool during the 1956 Olympic Games. Seated between the arena manager, Mr W. Berge Phillips (left) and Prince Axel of Denmark (right).

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave to the crowd whilst on their Commonwealth visit to Australia in 1954. Picture: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh riding in the back of an open car as they watch Australia's Snake Girl, Shirley Weston, in action during a visit to Melbourne on March 5, 1954. Picture: Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip walk past the standards of the ex-service men's associations after laying a wreath on the war memorial at Queen's Domain in Hobart, Tasmania on February 21, 1954. Picture: Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave from an open carriage as they drive past crowds of spectators at the Exhibition Grounds in Brisbane to watch a display of native dances in March 1954. Picture: Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images

Seated beside Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh waves to an enthusiastic little sailor, four-year-old Michael McCarthy during a tour of Mackay in Queensland. The royal couple attended a Children's Display and Reception at the Mackay Showground on March 16, 1954. Picture: Fox Photos/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive at Parliament House in Hobart, Tasmania, during their Commonwealth Tour of Australia, in 1954. Picture: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Canberra during their visit to Australia in 1954. Picture: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave to a group holding up Union Jack Flags, as the royal couple stand in the back of the Royal Land Rover in Townsville, Australia in March 1954. Picture: Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip (laughing) watch an aboriginal display and wallaby dance at the Exhibition Grounds in Brisbane, during the royal tour of Australia in March 1954. Picture: Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip stand in a moving vehicle and wave to Adelaide crowds during the 1954 tour.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on board HMAS Australia at sea off Townsville, Queensland, during a royal tour of Australia on March 13, 1954. Captain A W R McNicoll, commander of the ship, is on the left. Picture: Central Press/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive at City Hall, Brisbane, on March 17, 1954. Picture: The Courier-Mail

Originally published as Australians pay tribute to Prince Philip in condolence book