Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Condolences from civic leaders and citizens as Prince Philip is mourned
DUNDEE’S Lord Provost has sent his thoughts and condolences to the Queen following the death of her husband, Prince Philip.
Ian Borthwick called the late Duke of Edinburgh “a very great support to Her Majesty” and commended him for his work during both war and peacetime.
Speaking in the City Square yesterday afternoon, Mr Borthwick said: “Obviously there is some degree of sadness that we’ve lost a senior member of the royal family, a man who contributed a great deal during the war and also in peacetime.
“I think he gave a great deal of encouragement to young people in particular with his Duke of Edinburgh awards and proved to be a very great support to Her Majesty the Queen.”
Mr Borthwick also sent his best wishes to Queen Elizabeth and her family at this time, adding: “He was a great support to her, a great mainstay and the absence of that I’m sure will tell.
“The royal family’s relationship with Dundee has been very good in the past. They visited the city on a number of occasions and during these times there was a very good response from the people of the city.
“I think Dundee in general has a feeling of regret and condolence to her majesty and the royal family.”
Members of the public in Dundee also reacted to the news.
Margaret McFia, 77, said: “It’s a bit sad but he’s had a good long life, he was nearly 100.
“It’s sad when anyone dies but life will go on.”
Raymond Clark, 71, said: “I knew he wasn’t well but it’s a shock to be told that he’s died.
“He was a good age though, 99, a lot if folks don’t live that long. “Still, that’s a shock.”
Tim Saunders, 32, a software engineer, added: “I got a news alert and I wasn’t totally surprised, but it’s still a bit if a shock because he was in good health according to the last stories.
“I think that it’s a big story but it’s going to be overshadowed by the pandemic. There’s a lot of people dying.”
Stefan Ward, 33, a volunteer, said: “I don’t think his death should be made more significant compared to all the deaths we see around the world from other issues.
“Still, it is sad. He did his duty to the UK and hats off to him for that.”
Clyde Williamson, a 20-year-old student, said: “I wasn’t surprised, it’s been dragged out for a long time and he wasn’t in a good state. I’m not a royalist, so to me it is just another death, and he had a good, long life.”
The Lord Lieutenant of Angus, Mrs Pat Sawers said: “We mourn today the loss of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who, as Prince Consort, has been at the Queen’s side throughout her reign and provided a source of rock-solid strength.
“He acquitted his duties with great dedication and a downto-earth, no-nonsense approach which more often than not included a refreshing measure of good humour as well.
“The Duke of Edinburgh was quite simply unique and will be deeply missed by the nation.”
Angus Provost Ronnie Proctor MBE said the announcement had been met with “great sadness” in Angus.
“HRH Prince Philip enjoyed a long and fulfilling life, which he dedicated to the service of the nation for over 70 years, as both the steadfast companion and support to HM Queen Elizabeth and the champion of many social and environmental causes,” he said.
“The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is an enduring legacy; inspiring generations of young people to be confident, capable and active citizens.”
Her Majesty’s personal representative in Fife has led tributes from the Kingdom.
Lord-Lieutenant of Fife Robert W Balfour hailed Prince Philip’s “lifetime of service” to the Queen.
Mr Balfour said: “There is a profound feeling of gratitude for his contribution to the life of the nation. After active service in the Royal Navy, he gave a long lifetime of service to the Queen and country, offering his own contributions from a wide range of interests including science and technology, nature and environment, sport and industry.”
He was joined by the Provost of Fife, Jim Leishman MBE, who said: “Prince Philip has visited Fife