Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021
Husband’s death a profound loss for the Queen, who once described him as her ‘strength and stay all these years’
PRINCE Philip, the longest serving royal consort in British history and a constant presence at Queen Elizabeth II’s side for decades, died yesterday aged 99, Buckingham Palace announced.
The death of the Duke of Edinburgh is a profound loss for the 94-year-old monarch, who once described him as her “strength and stay all these years”.
The outspoken former navy commander devoted much of his life as the queen’s husband to charity work.
He was admitted to hospital on Feb 16, and went home after a month during which he was treated for a pre-existing heart condition and an infection.
Announcing his passing, BBC television played the national anthem over a picture of Philip in his prime, dressed in military dress uniform.
Flags were lowered to half-mast on royal and government buildings and a notice announcing his death pinned to the gates of Buckingham Palace.
“We give thanks, as a nation and a kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said outside 10 Downing Street.
Johnson said Philip had “earned the affection of generations” at home, in the Commonwealth and across the world after first serving in the Royal Navy and then over nearly eight decades beside the queen.
Philip retired from public duties in 2017 at the age of 96.
His death came just months before his 100th birthday in June — an event typically marked in Britain with a congratulatory message from the queen.
The couple, who celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in November, had been living largely in isolation at Windsor Castle, west of here, because their advanced age put them at heightened risk from Covid-19.
Philip and the queen received their first vaccinations against the virus in January.
In November, he and the queen marked the latest anniversary of their 1947 nuptials by releasing a photograph of them together, again at Windsor.
The queen had four children with Philip – Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward – eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Philip was born on the island of Corfu with Danish and Greek royal titles. He fled the country when
he was just 18 months old with his parents and four sisters, after his uncle, king Constantine of Greece, was forced to abdicate. The family initially settled in France.
Philip was 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.
In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Philip’s military career and community work.
“My thoughts are with the British people and the Royal Family on the passing away of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the Commonwealth member’s premier tweeted.
“He had a distinguished career in the military and was at the forefront of many community service initiatives. May his soul rest in peace.”
In Sydney, Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in the country to honour the passing of Philip, who he said “embodied a generation that we will never see again”.
“The Commonwealth family joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip. God bless from all here in Australia,” he said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern from neighbouring New Zealand also mourned Philip, noting his close ties to her country, including as patron of the Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award, a youth achievement programme named in honour of New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary.
Both Commonwealth nations said they would lower flags in honour of Philip, and announce further memorial ceremonies in the days to come.
In Washington, former United States president George W. Bush also mourned Philip, saying he had represented his country “with dignity”.
“Throughout his long and remarkable life, he devoted himself to worthy causes and to others,” Bush said.
“He represented the United Kingdom with dignity and brought boundless strength and support to the sovereign.”