Prince Philip dead: How US and UK press reacted
America has reacted to Prince Philip’s death but the royal has had to share front page with a rapper. SEE THE FRONT PAGES.
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The death of Prince Philip has left Britain and the Commonwealth in mourning, but America has also reacted with sadness to the Duke of Edinburgh’s passing.
Prince Philip made all the major front pages on Saturday in the US with the New York Post, the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times all paying a front page tribute to the 99-year-old duke.
New York’s less formal paper, the New York Daily News printed a split photo of Prince Philip and beloved New York rapper who also died on Friday at the age of 50 after a suspected drug overdose which left him in a coma.
The New York Post reported on Prince Philip’s final days, saying he spent much time sleeping, “but in his best waking hours, he soaked in the sun with a blanket on his lap and Queen Elizabeth at his side”.
The paper also reported how Prince Harry was “scrambling” to get home for his grandfather’s funeral.
New York’s Daily News published a split front page that featured the deaths of both Prince Philip and famed New York rapper DMX who also died on Friday after being in a coma, reportedly due to a drug overdose.
The New York Times wrote about Prince Philip as “an ardent supporter of the Crown” who “tried to shepherd the monarchy into the 21st century”. The Times also reported that after the duke’s death, the rift that has widened in the royal family after Prince Harry’s departure could be healed.
The Los Angeles Times wrote about the duke being the Queen’s biggest “confidante and supporter” and how he has “steered” the royal family through turbulent waters and crises.
The Washington Post reported on the prince’s life but also called him “the original wife guy”, explaining to US readers why he was never called “king” or even “king consort”.
This, according to the Washington Post, was “because of a longstanding tradition within the British monarchy. ‘King’ was typically reserved for active monarchs. ‘Queen’, however, could simply be a symbolic, wifely role. If Philip had been called “king consort,” then people might assume he outranked his wife. ‘Prince’ was a way of signalling that she was the one in charge.”
Meanwhile, the British press, so often a barometer of the public mood in the United Kingdom, reacted to the news of the death of Prince Philip with great reverence and immense sadness.
The Sun led tributes with a nod to the strength of his relationship with Queen Elizabeth II and empathised with the great sadness she must be feeling.
The widely-read tabloid followed that up with a 24-page tribute with an earlier picture of the couple on the cover.
“WHAT an extraordinary life. What epic and exemplary service he gave to his Queen and country. What a character. What a joker. For nearly seven decades Prince Philip was the rock behind the longest reign in the history of our monarchy, that vital thread in the fabric of Britain,” the paper’s opined.
The Times also have a front page with a regal image of the Duke of Edinburgh with a quote of his as he looked aback at life as consort to the Queen.
Fellow tabloid Daily Mail also focused on the Queen’s heartbreak.
“No longer the decisive man of action who had devoted a lifetime to supporting her, the Queen was now able to repay Philip,” the publication said.
“Domestic timetables such as mealtimes were torn up to accommodate him when he felt he was strong enough to join her. Even with failing health signalling that his life was drawing to a close, the two were still able to enjoy time with each other as they always had.”
While the Evening Standard headlined with The Duke of Edinburgh’s life of service.
“Prince Philip: the consort who supported the Queen in war and peace,” said the newspaper.
“In an extraordinary life, the Duke of Edinburgh overcame family tragedy and metamorphosed into a war hero who won the heart of a princess and future queen.”
The Yorkshire Post let a picture of the Royal on the front page of its weekend edition speak for itself.
“Prince Philip was a “renaissance man” who lived his whole life in duty,” The Post said.
The Daily Telegraph captured the Prince resplendent in full uniform.
While The Guardian also led with a solo picture of the much-revered figure.
And the Daily Mirror splashed with a picture of the Queen and the Duke in formal attire, looking very relaxed.
In many ways that picture summed up much of their life and their approach to public service.
It was the same picture The Sun used on their cover.
Pictures were captured of newspapers coming off the printing presses in another sign of the significant life lived by Prince Philip.
The Daily Star took a different tact with a photo of the Duke from behind as if he was walking away with his hat in the air. It carried the words, ‘HER ROCK’.
The Daily Express went with the Queen’s ‘DEEP SORROW’ on its front page, pointing to a 24-page special tribute.
Many editions of the newspapers are expected to be kept by Royal admirers as collection items to make the solemn occasion and a revered life.