Prince Philip, the husband of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburg has died aged 99. Buckingham Palace confirmed the reports on April 9.
Prince Philip had been taken to the hospital several times in recent years and had also stepped back from public life in 2017 due to health concerns. He was the longest-serving consort to a monarch in British history.
While primarily known for his marriage to the Queen, Philip was an extraordinary figure in his own right according to CNN. He was born into the turmoil of inter-war Europe and became a naval officer decorated for heroism in World War II.
World leaders continue to send in their heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family after Buckingham Palace announced the death of Prince Philip later in the day. The duke accompanied the Queen during hundreds of overseas visits.
“He embodied a generation that we will never see again,” Australian PM Scott Morrison said in a statement.
The duke had blood ties with a number of former or current European royal households, and many of their members have been sending condolences.
Tributes came in too from the Commonwealth – 54 nations, most with roots in the British Empire and home to 2.4 billion people.
Many of those paying tribute hailed the duke for his work in schemes to help young people, and for devoting himself to numerous other public service causes.
King Carl Gustaf said the duke had been “a great friend of our family for many years, a relation which 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.”
Prince Philip was hailed for his work in schemes to help young people and numerous other causes
The statement from the Palace read: “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 join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
His death comes after years of remarkable stamina, in which he undertook more public engagements than much younger senior Royals. The Duke was last seen in public carrying out official duties in July 2020 at Windsor Castle, when he transferred an important military role as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles to the Duchess of Cornwall.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was a member of the British royal family as the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. He was born into Greek and Danish royal families. He was born in Greece, but his family was exiled from the country when he was eighteen months old.
The Duke had been admitted to the King Edward VII hospital in Marylebone, central London, on Feb 16 and he remained in hospital until Mar 16 – his longest stay.
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