The British flags were half mast at Buckingham Palace on Friday April 9 after the death at 99 years of Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II. “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”, the crown said in a statement. The Buckingham website displays a portrait of the prince.
It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highnes… https://t.co/7cHe9dWPK0
A note announcing the death of the Duke of Edinburgh was also placed on the gates of the palace, according to images broadcast by British televisions, which upset their programs as soon as the prince’s death was announced.
The Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have chosen sobriety to pay homage to him. A dark background with a single message standing out in white letters: “In memory of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, 1921-2021”, was visible Friday on the site of Archewell, the charity and audiovisual production organization founded by the couple last year. “Thank you for your dedication… you will be sorely missed”, also indicated the virtual tribute to Prince Harry’s grandfather.
“The nation and the kingdom offer their thanks for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh”, greeted the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who offered his condolences to Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family. “We are in mourning with Her Majesty the Queen”, he told a press conference outside 10 Downing Street.
On the death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. https://t.co/rZlbY1matF
Prince consort with the longest longevity, “He helped guide the royal family and the monarchy, so that it remains an institution undoubtedly vital for the balance and happiness of our national life”Mr Johnson continued.
“He will be remembered above all for his extraordinary commitment and for his devotion to the Queen”, reacted for his part the leader of the Labor opposition, Keir Starmer. Their marriage of more than seven decades was “A symbol of strength, stability and hope”, a source of inspiration for “Millions of people in the UK and beyond”.
Another personality of Labor, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, saluted “An extraordinary man, who devoted his life to public service and to helping others”.
For her part, the Scottish independence first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said “Saddened” by the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. According to her, he will leave “A deep mark” in Scotland, a nation with which he shared “Deep and lasting ties” and where he regularly spent his vacations, in Balmoral.
The former prime minister Tony blair greeted the “Determination” and the “Courage” of a man ” ahead of its time “.
In Northern Ireland, agitated for more than a week by riots, the Unionist Prime Minister, Arlene foster, recalled the“Marked interest” of the prince for this territory.
The Irish Prime Minister, Micheal Martin, for his part said “Saddened” by this death, while Scott Morrison, the Australian Prime Minister, member of the Commonwealth, estimated that “Philip embodied a generation”.
A man hailed internationally
In the rest of Europe, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, expressed on Twitter his “Sincere condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Family and the British people, on the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, who led an exemplary life marked by bravery, a sense of duty and commitment towards youth and the environment ”.
The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, through the spokesperson of the German government, Ulrike Demmer, expressed his “Great sadness” : “His friendship for Germany, his frankness and his sense of duty remain unforgettable. ” The King and Queen of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia, also conveyed their condolences and mentioned the meaning “Service and dedication” of the prince.
Across the Atlantic, the American President, Joe biden, saluted “The decades of dedicated action”. “Prince Philip has devoted himself to the people of the United Kingdom, to the Commonwealth and to his family”, he said, applauding in particular the commitments “Environmental”, of the Duke of Edinburgh in a press release. His predecessor, Donald trump, said the death of this “Definition of British dignity and grace” represented a loss “Irreplaceable” for the United Kingdom, while Barack obama greeted the departure of a man who “Showed the world how to be a devoted husband to a powerful wife”.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Justin trudeau, paid tribute “A man of conviction and principles, animated by his sense of duty towards others”. “We will fondly remember him as a pillar in the life of our queen”, the reigning leader of Canada, said Trudeau, in a statement, referring to “The companion of a lifetime”.
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, paid tribute to the military career of the husband of Elizabeth II, a man “At the forefront in many social initiatives”, he estimated.
My thoughts are with the British people and the Royal Family on the passing away of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of… https://t.co/tRXnlSV7Ei
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for his part, affirmed that the prince consort would be “Very regretted in Israel”.
