REST IN PEACE PRINCE PHILIP
THE NATION GOES INTO MOURNING FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AGED 99
Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, sadly passed away on the morning of 9 April at the age of 99. Buckingham Palace confirmed the news in a statement which read, “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.”
The statement added the royal family “join with people around the world in mourning his loss”.
A framed notice of his death was attached to the railings outside Buckingham Palace in central London. And soon after the announcement, crowds began to gather at the gates of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, where local residents left flowers and card tributes.
Messages of condolences have poured in following the Duke’s death.
Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, paid tribute on their official social media platforms, posting a black and white image of the Duke alongside the official statement.
William’s younger brother Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle also posted a statement on their Archewell website: “In loving memory of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. 1921-2021. Thank you for your service... you will be greatly missed.”
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson released a statement from outside Downing Street in which he honoured Prince Philip’s “ethic of service”, commitment to environmental concerns and help for young people through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
He said, “We remember the Duke for all of this, and above all for his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen. Not just as her consort, by her side every day of her reign, but as her husband, her ‘strength and stay’, of more than 70 years.”
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also sent her “personal and deepest condolences” to the Queen and the royal family.
In a statement, American President Joe Biden said the US sends its “deepest condolences” to the Queen, royal family and to all the people of the UK on the death of Prince Philip.
A number of European heads of state also expressed their sympathies, including King Philippe of Belgium and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Former UK PM Tony Blair sent condolences and praised the Duke both for his role as royal consort and his charitable work.
Prince Philip was the Queen’s husband for more than 73 years and the longest-serving consort in British history. At the time of his death, he had been convalescing at home after heart surgery. He was admitted to King Edward
VII’S Hospital, London, on Tuesday 16 February in what was described as a “precautionary measure” after it was reported he had been feeling unwell. Two weeks later he was transferred to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, which has a specialist cardiac centre, to undergo surgery for a pre-existing heart condition.
Days later he returned to King Edward VII’S Hospital. Altogether he spent a month in hospital as an in-patient – his longest ever stay.
It is understood the Queen, 94, has gone into a mourning period of eight days, which means new Bills will not be given royal assent to become law and all state affairs will be suspended as a mark of respect. Afterwards, the entire royal family is expected to embark on an official 30-day grieving period.
Just days before her husband’s death, the Queen appeared in good spirits as she strolled in the gardens of Frogmore House at Windsor with her eldest son, Prince Charles.
And last week Prince William was seen on the phone as he listened to the stories of frontline pandemic workers, and described the NHS as “probably the most admired organisation around”. He was last seen in public with wife Kate in March.
Days before his grandfather’s death, Prince Harry was seen soaking up the sunshine on a Los Angeles beach. Relations between him and his brother William have been strained since Harry announced he was stepping down from royal duties and relocating to the US with his American wife.
Matters became more tense last month after Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with American TV presenter Oprah Winfrey, in which they insisted both Prince Charles and Prince William were “trapped” by their roles and said a senior royal – although not the Queen or Prince Philip – had raised concerns about the skin tone of the baby Meghan was expecting.
Their son, Archie, is two in May and the couple are expecting a second child – a daughter – in the summer. It’s not clear whether they will fly to the UK for the funeral. It’s thought the death of their grandfather could bring the brothers together again.
Harry famously had a close relationship with Philip and the two were often seen laughing together at events. Prince Philip is understood to have timed his hip operation in 2018 so he would be fit enough to attend his grandson’s wedding.
The College of Arms, which helps organise state events, said, “The funeral will not be a state funeral and will not be preceded by a lying-instate. His Royal Highness’s body will lie at rest in Windsor
Castle ahead of the funeral in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in Berkshire. This is in line with custom and with His Royal Highness’s wishes.”
A later statement from the Palace confirmed that modified funeral arrangements were being discussed with the Queen in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Government advice and social distancing guidelines. It discouraged crowds from gathering at royal residences and asked that the public consider making a donation to a charity instead of leaving floral tributes.
An online book of condolence for those wishing to leave messages is available on the royal website.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday in June, officially retired from public duties in 2017 after suffering a number of health issues in recent years.
He was last admitted to King Edward VII’S Hospital in December 2019, where he spent four nights being treated for a “pre-existing condition”. He was discharged on Christmas Eve and was able to spend the festive season at Sandringham with the Queen.
Last Christmas, eschewing their usual celebrations, they remained at the Berkshire residence instead of
gathering with their extended family at Sandringham in Norfolk. In January this year, the Palace announced that both the Queen and Prince Philip had received their Covid-19 vaccinations from a household doctor at Windsor Castle, where they spent lockdown.
Last April, Prince Philip released his first public statement since his retirement, in which he thanked the nation’s medical professionals for their efforts during the pandemic.
It said, “On behalf of those of us who remain safe and at home, I also wanted to thank all key workers who ensure the infrastructure of our life continues; the staff and volunteers working on food production and distribution, those keeping postal and delivery services going, and those ensuring the rubbish continues to be collected.”
The Duke of Edinburgh appeared at the wedding of his granddaughter Princess Beatrice last July and made a rare public appearance at Windsor Castle later the same month for a socially distanced ceremony during which he transferred his role of Colonel-in-chief of The Rifles to his daughter-in-law, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.