Kingdom joins world in mourning death of Britain’s Prince Philip
Low-key farewell planned for consort to Queen Elizabeth II because of pandemic
The death on Friday of Britain’s Prince Philip, the “strength and stay” of Queen Elizabeth II throughout the 69 years of her reign, is being mourned throughout the world, and nowhere more so than in the Gulf states, with which the royal couple had such an enduring and warm relationship.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent their condolences to Queen Elizabeth II and Charles, Prince of Wales.
“We have received with great sadness the news of the death of
His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and we express to Your Majesty, the royal family and the friendly people of the United Kingdom our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy,” the king said in a cable to the queen.
The leaders of the UAE, Bahrain and Oman also sent messages of condolence to the queen. From the UAE, cables were sent by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE prime minister and ruler of Dubai; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s death — he had recently spent a month in hospital — came just two months short of his 100th birthday. His was a remarkable century.
Born on June 10, 1921, in Corfu as Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, he joined the British Royal Navy in 1939 and served with distinction during the Second World War, seeing action in the North Sea, Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Since Elizabeth became queen in 1952, five years after their wedding, the great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria would never be far from her side, supporting her in everything she did. Throughout those years both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attached a special importance to maintaining Britain’s historic relationship with the monarchies of the Gulf.
In one early solo visit to the region, in February 1965, Prince Philip flew to Riyadh as the guest of Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal. Two years later, King Faisal renewed his acquaintance with the prince when he made a state visit to London.
US President Joe Biden said: “His legacy will live on not only through his family, but in all the charitable endeavors he shaped.” British Premier Boris Johnson said: “Like the expert carriage driver that he was he 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.” Prince Philip will be laid to rest with all the honors due a prince of the UK and a consort to Queen Elizabeth.
But the coronavirus pandemic means it will be a more low-key farewell than has marked many royal deaths. The pandemic has required changes to the well-prepared plans for Philip’s passing, code-named Operation Forth Bridge.