Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, died Friday morning at Windsor Castle. Husband of Queen Elizabeth II, Philip’s service to the royal consort reigned the longest in history. The Royal Family, per BBC News, asked for people to donate to charity instead of leaving flowers. The official royal website launched a condolence book for people who want to pay their respects by sending messages.
Buckingham Palace announced Prince Philip’s death through a statement Friday. “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.”
In a speech by Queen Elizabeth on her Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1997, she complimented her husband’s guidance. “He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”
In the last year of his life, Prince Philip lived in isolated quarters with The Queen due to the pandemic. The couple married on November 20, 1947. Their marriage endured 73 years upon the time of his passing.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, among other world leaders, shared condolences, remembering Prince Philip as “highly respected.”
“Our thoughts are with Her Majesty and her family who have not lost just a much-loved and highly-respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.”
Gun salutes pay tribute to Prince Philip across the UK.
