Global Mourning as Prince Philip, Husband of Queen Elizabeth, Dies at 99
Nigerian President, other world leaders grieve
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday joined other world leaders to condole with the British Royale family over the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II of England, who died at 99 yesterday.
A statement posted on the royal family's website yesterday morning said: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty the Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family joins with people around the world in mourning his loss."
In accordance with tradition, a framed notice containing the news was also placed on the railings outside Buckingham Palace.
Shortly after, world leaders, in a show of solidarity jostled to identify with the Queen and the entire royal family in a flood of condolence messages.
President Buhari, was quoted by his Media Assistant, Garba Shehu as saying: "The death of the Duke of Edinburgh is the end of an era. Prince Philip was one of the greatest and publicly recognisable international figures whose contributions to the Commonwealth will be remembered for generations to come."
According to the President, who incidentally is in London for medical check, "Prince Philip was a great man in his own right who made enormous contributions to philanthropic activities and charities especially for wildlife conservation and youth development programmes in more than 130 countries."
He described the late Duke of Edinburgh as "a remarkable husband who had been happily married to the Queen since 1947," adding that "this is an impressive record for any marriage at any level."
President Buhari also commiserated with the Government of the United Kingdom, the members of the Commonwealth "for the sad loss of this royal and indeed global icon."
Spain's king and queen telegrammed "Dear Aunt Lilibet" to mourn the passing of "Dear Uncle Philip".
Along with tributes from Europe's royal households, many Commonwealth nations praised his exceptional public service.
They paid tribute to a life of duty, purpose, and devotion to the Queen.
US President Joe Biden also sent condolences, praising the duke for his dedication "to the people of the UK, the Commonwealth and to his family", as well as for his service during World War II, championing environmental efforts and inspiring young people.
The telegram from King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain was particularly poignant, sending "all our love and affection" to Aunt Lilibet (the affectionate name used by the duke for his wife) and Dear Uncle Philip.
"We shall never forget the moments that we shared with him and the legacy of service and dedication to the Crown and the United Kingdom by your side," they told the Queen.
Sweden's King Carl Gustaf was also moved, saying the duke had been "a great friend of our family for many years, a relation we have deeply valued".
Swedish royal family spokeswoman Margareta Thorgren told the BBC the king and the duke had sailed together in England, adding: "That was the start of a great friendship between them."
The Dutch royal family said they remembered Prince Philip with great respect, adding: "He dedicated his long life to the service of the British people and to his many duties and responsibilities. His lively personality made an indelible impression."
Australian PM Scott Morrison said in a statement: "He embodied a generation that we will never see again."
He praised the duke as the patron of dozens of organisations in Australia.
The praise from New Zealand's PM Jacinda Ardern was similar, saying that "thousands of young people have completed life-changing challenges" through the duke's Hillary Award.
Canada's PM Justin Trudeau said the duke had "contributed so much to the social fabric of our country - and the world".
He added: "Prince Philip was a man of great purpose and conviction, who was motivated by a sense of duty to others. We will fondly remember him as a pillar in the life of our Queen."
While the cause of his death is not yet known, it comes soon after the longest hospital stay of his life. He was admitted to King Edward VII’s hospital in central London on February 16 after feeling unwell, and later had a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at another London hospital, St Bartholomew’s.
After being discharged on March 16, the duke returned to Windsor Castle and was said to be in “good spirits”. In a statement, Buckingham Palace said he was discharged “following treatment for an infection and a successful procedure for a pre-existing condition”.
Philip spent 65 years supporting the queen, retiring from his public role in 2017 and staying largely out of the view since. In his active years, he helped set a new course for the monarchy, championing Britain itself, as well as environmental causes, science and technology.
Philip’s relationship with Princess Elizabeth began as a story of young love.
“We behave as though we had belonged to each other for years,” Elizabeth wrote in a letter to her parents shortly after they married.
Philip’s health had been slowly deteriorating for some time. He joked he could no longer stand up when he stepped down from royal engagements in May 2017. His final official public appearance was made later that year during a Royal Marines parade on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.