Country unites in tribute to ‘an extraordinary man’
Leaders across the world yesterday paid tribute to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as the flag over 10 Downing Street was lowered to half-mast out of respect.
Prime minister Boris Johnson said: “Speaking on their golden wedding anniversary, Her Majesty said that our country owed her husband ‘a greater debt than he would ever claim or we shall ever know’ and I am sure that estimate is correct. So we mourn today with Her Majesty The Queen, we offer our condolences to her and to all her family and we give thanks, as a nation and a kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” he added.
Labour leader Keir Starmer echoed the words of the prime minister, writing on Twitter how “he will be remembered most of all for his extraordinary commitment and devotion to The Queen. For more than
seven decades, he has been at her side. Their marriage has been a symbol of strength, stability and hope, even as the world around them changed – most recently during the pandemic. It was a partnership that inspired millions in Britain and beyond.
“My thoughts are with The Queen, the royal family and the British people as our nation comes together to mourn and remember the life of Prince Philip,” he added.
Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon also took to social media to offer her condolences. “I am saddened by news that the Duke of Edinburgh has died,” she wrote. “I send my personal and deepest condolences – and those of @scotgov and the people of Scotland – to Her Majesty The Queen and her family.”
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan tweeted a statement expressing his condolences. “Today, we mourn the loss of an extraordinary man, who devoted his life to public service and helping others,” he wrote. “As Mayor, I know I can speak on behalf of all Londoners that we will forever be grateful for the contribution His Royal Highness made to our city and our country. This includes his charitable work and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which has helped so many young people reach their potential.”
Former prime minister Theresa May praised Prince Philip as a “devoted husband, father, grandfather & great grandfather”, adding: “The nation and the entire Commonwealth owe Prince Philip an extraordinary debt of gratitude for a distinguished life of service to the Queen, our country and so many around the world.” Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote : “Losing a loved one, as so many families have this past year, is always heartbreaking. My thoughts are with Prince Philip’s family and all who loved him.”
Nigel Farage also shared his condolences. “He was a great man in both war and peace,” he wrote of the Duke of Edinburgh. “All of our thoughts are with our magnificent Queen.” A statement on the Twitter account for former prime minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah expressed their “deepest sympathies”, saying: “The whole country will be saddened by the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and wish to express their condolences to HRH The Queen today.”
Tributes also poured in from international leaders – in addition to a formal statement released by the White House, Joe Biden told reporters during an Oval Office meeting: “Jill and I and the entire administration send our condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the loss of Prince Philip. He was a heck of a guy.”
The president noted “his bravery, serving in World War Two, as well as his being champion of the environment as well as the charitable things he set up.” He added: “I think he’s going to be missed, particularly in the United Kingdom. 99 years old and never slowed down at all, which I admire the devil out of.”
President Vladimir Putin said he had sent the Queen a telegram expressing his “deep condolences” and wishing her “courage and fortitude in the face of a grievous and irreparable loss".
The Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said “my thoughts are with the British people and the royal family”. Philip, he said, “had a distinguished career in the military and was at the forefront of many community service initiatives”.
Mr Modi met the Queen twice since he was first elected prime minister seven years ago – once in 2015, and once in 2018 when he also met Prince Charles. During that second meeting, the Queen gave Mr Modi a wedding present that she and Philip received in 1947 from Mahatma Gandhi. It was a piece of crocheted cotton made from yarn spun by Gandhi himself, featuring the words “Jai Hind” (“Go India!”) as its central motif.
The Australian prime minister Scott Morrison recallied that Philip had visited the country more than 20 times. “Australians send our love and deepest condolences to her Majesty and all the royal family. The Commonwealth family joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip. God bless from all here in Australia.”
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern said her thoughts would be with the Queen at this “profoundly sad time”. She added: “Prince Philip will be fondly remembered for the encouragement he gave to so many young New Zealanders through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award. In over 50 years of the award in New Zealand, thousands of young people have completed life-changing challenges through the programme.”
In Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf, praised Philip as “a good friend of our family”, declaring “his service to his country will remain an inspiration to us all”, while Ireland’s foreign minister Simon Coveney tweeted condolences. “Our thoughts and solidarity are with you on a very sad day for the United Kingdom,” he wrote.