Prince Philip has died aged 99-years-old (credit:Michael Gwyther-Jones)
Buckingham Palace has announced he passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle this morning.
The news was confirmed with a statement from the Castle saying: “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.
“Further announcements will made in due course.
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced 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. pic.twitter.com/XOIDQqlFPn
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 9, 2021
The Duke of Edinburgh was born a Prince of Greece, in 1921, and first met the then Princess Elizabeth when she was 13-year-old.
The couple married soon after World War Two, and remained together for seven decades.
He saw himself as the moderniser of the British monarchy, orchestrating the first Royal walkabout – but he was also known for his embarrassing gaffes.
Ill-health meant he missed a number of Royal events in recent years and in 2017, the Duke retired from his own programme of royal duties.
He spent four weeks in hospital last month, and had a heart procedure.
In total, he supported more than 800 charities and good causes.
Tributes have been pouring in.
Boris Johnson’s led tributes saying “he helped to steer the Royal Family and the monarchy”.
The Prime Minister says it remains an institution “vital to the balance and happiness of our national life”.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says he’ll be remembered most “for his extraordinary commitment and devotion to The Queen”.
Sir Ed Davey – Liberal Democrat leader – called Prince Philip “a much-loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather”
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has praised his “extraordinary life”.
The First Ministers of Scotland and Wales have also been reacting.
Mark Drakeford says Prince Philip “served the crown with selfless devotion and generosity of spirit.”
While Nicola Sturgeon says she’s “saddened by the news” and sends her “personal and deepest condolences”.
Further afield, Australia’s Prime Minister says the Duke “embodied a generation that we will never see again”.
For more on this story, and the latest on our other local and national news, listen to Time 107.5FM
Tags: Royal family
