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US Politics

Prince Philip has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace announces

Source: BBC News:
April 9, 2021 at 08:25
Prince Philip // CNN
Prince Philip // CNN
Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II's husband, has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace has announced.

In a statement shortly after midday, the palace said: "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."

The duke, who was the longest-serving consort in British history, had returned to Windsor Castle on 16 March after spending a month in hospital.

Boris Johnson said he "inspired the lives of countless young people".

The palace said further announcements would be made "in due course".

"The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss," the statement added.

Speaking at Downing Street, the prime minister added: "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."

Mr Johnson said he received the news of the duke's death "with great sadness".

"Prince Philip earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world," he said.


'Deep sense of commitment'

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was "saddened" by the death of the duke.

She tweeted: "I send my personal and deepest condolences - and those of scotgov and the people of Scotland - to Her Majesty The Queen and her family."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the UK had lost an "extraordinary public servant", adding he would be remembered most of all for his most "extraordinary commitment and devotion to the Queen".

 

 

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said: "He consistently put the interests of others ahead of his own and, in so doing, provided an outstanding example of Christian service."

The archbishop added: "As we recover and rebuild after the terrible trial of the coronavirus pandemic, we will need fortitude and a deep sense of commitment to serving others."

The prince married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen, and was the longest-serving royal consort in British history.

In March, the Duke of Edinburgh left King Edward VII's hospital in central London after a month-long stay for treatment.

He underwent a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at another London hospital - St Bartholomew's.
 

Staff members bring a notice to the fence of Buckingham Palace after it was announced Prince Philip had died
REUTERS
Staff members bring a notice to the fence of Buckingham Palace after it was announced Prince Philip had died
 
The announcement of the death at Buckingham Palace
REUTERS
The announcement was posted on the gates of the palace
 


Prince Philip and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.

Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on 10 June 1921.

His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, a younger son of King George I of the Hellenes.

His mother, Princess Alice, was a daughter of Prince Louis of Battenberg and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
 

To mark their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 20 November 2007, the Queen and Prince Philip re-visit Broadlands where 60 years ago in November 1947 they spent their wedding night
TIM GRAHAM/PA
The Duke of Edinburgh was at the Queen's side for more than six decades of reign, becoming the longest-serving consort in British history in 2009
 

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