Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, dead at 99
Tributes are flowing as Buckingham Palace confirms the Duke of Edinburgh has died at the age of 99 after a recent bout of illness.
Prince Philip has died peacefully at Windsor Castle at the age of 99, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
Born on June 10, 1921 in Greece, the Duke of Edinburgh was just months away from celebrating his 100th birthday.
At noon London time, the Royal Family released a statement.
“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.
“Further announcements will made in due course.
“The Royal Family joins with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
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.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 9, 2021
His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/XOIDQqlFPn
As the news was announced, a number of traditions began to take place. The Royal standard, the flag of the Family, was lowered to half mast at Buckingham Palace while an official statement of the death was placed on the palace gates.
RELATED: Prince Philip’s life of duty
The College of Arms, responsible for state ceremonies, has issued guidance on what to expect for the Duke’s funeral arrangements.
The funeral will not be a state funeral and the consort’s body will lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
“This is in line with custom and with His Royal Highness’s wishes,” said the statement.
The College of Arms said the arrangements have been revised in view of the COVID-19 pandemic “and it is regretfully requested that members of the public do not attempt to attend or participate in any of the events that make up the funeral.”
Instead, the public can sign an online condolence book. The royal family asked that people consider making a donation to a charity instead of leaving floral tributes in memory of the Duke, as crowds gathered at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
Well-wishers laying flowers were moved on amid concerns over COVID restrictions, while broadcasters from across the world filmed reports outside the Palace.
All official flags — including the Union Flag, national flags of the home nations, ensigns and ships’ colours — will be flown at half-mast from now until 8am on the day after the funeral.
British media reports the funeral is likely to take place next Saturday.
An Online Book of Condolence is now available on the Royal website for those who wish to send a personal message of condolence: https://t.co/0w7Vd7kYq0
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 9, 2021
Visit https://t.co/utgjraQQv5 for updates from Buckingham Palace and information about The Duke of Edinburgh's life and work. pic.twitter.com/fkV4FTvhqI
Crowds gathering to read the official statement and lay flowers outside Buckingham Palace. @abcnewspic.twitter.com/cO23CXnJpA
— Tim Stevens (@TdotStevens) April 9, 2021
RELATED: Prince Philip’s long life in pictures
News.com.au understands that upon being informed by Governor-general David Hurley, Mr Morrison shared the news with various leaders including the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House; cabinet; the Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese as well as former prime ministers.
Former prime ministers Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott have both issued tributes.
The Governor-general said it was a “sad and historic day” and gave thanks for the Duke’s “commitment to Australia”.
The Prime Minister said “Australians send our love and deepest condolences to Her Majesty and all the Royal Family”.
He said flags would be lowered across the country.
Governor-general: “Sad and historic day”
Governor-General Hurley, the Queen’s representative in Australia, said it was his “solemn and melancholy duty” to announce the death to Australians.
“As we mourn, we should also reflect and give thanks for His Royal Highness’ lifetime of service, devotion and commitment.
“And commitment to the Commonwealth and the many hundreds of organisations – including many here in Australia – of which he served as Patron and for whom he was a passionate advocate and supporter.”
Mr Hurley said Prince Philip had visited Australia 21 times.
“He was a popular, engaged and welcome visitor to our shores.
“His impact was profound – not least on the more than 775,000 young Australians who have participated in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award since it began here in 1959.
“On behalf of the Australian people, I extend our deepest condolences to Her Majesty and family, the people of the Commonwealth and to all those who share in this sad news.
“We give thanks for the Duke of Edinburgh’s service, his loyal and loving devotion to Her Majesty and his commitment to Australia, The Commonwealth and all her people.”
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Prime Minister: “Commonwealth family joins together in sorrow”
In a statement, PM Morrison said Prince Philip “embodied a generation that we will never see again”.
He said the Prince was “no stranger to Australia”.
Mr Morrison highlighted his naval service and the many hundreds of thousands of Australians who participated in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program.
“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. God bless from all here in Australia”.
Statement on His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/6kq6Lg7cLp
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) April 9, 2021
Boris Johnson: “Our thoughts are with the Queen”
Speaking outside 10 Downing St, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Prince Philip “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.”
The Duke, he said, was an environmentalist “long before it was fashionable”.
Mr Johnson remarked on his “steadfast support” for the Queen.
“It is to Her Majesty and the Family that the nation’s thoughts must turn today.”
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “saddened” to hear of the death and sent her “personal and deepest condolences” to the Queen.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also called out the Duke’s award scheme.
“On behalf of the New Zealand people and the Government, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Her Majesty and to all the Royal Family,” she said.
Recent hospitalisations
In recent months, Prince Philip was noticeably unwell. He was taken to the King Edward VII Hospital in London in February as “a precautionary measure, on the advice of His Royal Highness’s Doctor, after feeling unwell” the palace said at the time.
He was released on March 16 after a four-week stay and a heart operation.
The latest hospitalisation, the Duke of Edinburgh’s longest, renewed concerns about Philip’s health.
Prince Philip made increasingly rare public appearances after retiring from public duties in 2017 at the age of 96, following a two-night hospitalisation for an infection. He then had a hip operation in 2018.
In January 2019, he emerged unscathed after his vehicle was involved in a car accident that injured two people near the monarch’s Sandringham estate in eastern England.
He spent four nights at King Edward Hospital in December 2019, where he was treated for what was described as a “pre-existing condition” and was discharged on Christmas Eve that year.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Prince Philip and the Queen, 94, made few public or private appearances. He attended the wedding ceremony of his granddaughter Princess Beatrice last July, shortly before celebrating his 73rd wedding anniversary.
RELATED: Prince Philip’s most outrageous moments
The longest-serving consort in British history, Philip was born on the island of Corfu with Danish and Greek royal titles.
When he was 18 months old, his uncle, King Constantine of Greece, was forced to abdicate and Philip fled the country with his parents and four sisters, initially settling in France.
Philip had been formally introduced to Princess Elizabeth, the future queen, in July 1939 and they kept in touch during the war, meeting on a number of occasions. The pair married in Westminster Abbey in London in 1947.
Their first child, Prince Charles, was born 1948, followed by Princess Anne in 1950, Prince Andrew in 1960 and Prince Edward in 1964.
The couple celebrated their platinum wedding in November 2017 at Windsor, with Prince Philip a constant presence at the side of the monarch, who has referred to him as her “strength and stay”.
He shelved his personal ambitions to support his wife, sharing her sense of duty and tradition and put his energy behind numerous charities including the World Wildlife Fund For Nature and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Yet his public appearances caused offence at times. In 1986, on a visit to China, he reportedly told students from Edinburgh University: “If you stay here much longer, you’ll all be slit-eyed.”
The Royal Family, the British Government and the Australian Government have all said more detail on official commemorations reflecting on Prince Philip’s life will be announced in the coming days.
– with AFP
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