News|Obituaries

Prince Philip death: How the world reacted

World leaders pay tribute to Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who has died at 99.

Prince Philip is survived by the queen and their four children as well as eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren [AP Photo/Worth]
Published On 9 Apr 2021
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Updated: 
10 Apr 2021
07:19 AM (GMT)

Public figures in the United Kingdom and across the world have reacted with sadness to the death of Prince Philip.

The Duke of Edinburgh, as he was officially known, “passed away peacefully” on Friday morning at Windsor Castle aged 99, Buckingham Palace announced.

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The husband of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip had been by the monarch’s side throughout her 69-year reign, the longest in British history.

During his long and storied life, which saw him fight in World War II and play a key role in modernising the monarchy, he earned a reputation as an oftentimes gruff figure with a troubling habit for making bigoted remarks.

But he also won widespread affection for his unyielding devotion to the queen and his charitable efforts, which focused on younger people, wildlife conservation and battling the scourge of climate change.

Here are some of the tributes to his life:

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Johnson hailed the Duke of Edinburgh’s “extraordinary life and work” and sent his condolences to Queen Elizabeth II over her husband’s death.

“We remember the Duke … above all for his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen, not just as her consort, by her side, every day of her reign, but as her husband, her strength and stay of more than 70 years,” Johnson said in a televised address to the nation.

“Like the expert carriage driver that he was, 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,” he added.

“And it is to Her Majesty, and her family, that our nation’s thoughts must turn today.”

US President Joe Biden

Biden paid tribute to Prince Philip as a selfless servant of Britain and its people.

“From his service during World War II, to his 73 years alongside the Queen, and his entire life in the public eye – Prince Philip gladly dedicated himself to the people of the UK, the Commonwealth, and to his family,” he said in a statement.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

Sturgeon said she was “saddened” by the death of the duke and sent the “deepest condolences” of the people of Scotland to Queen Elizabeth II.

“I am saddened by news that the Duke of Edinburgh has died. I send my personal and deepest condolences – and those of @scotgov and the people of Scotland – to Her Majesty The Queen and her family,” she tweeted.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin

Martin said the people of Ireland’s “thoughts and prayers” were with Queen Elizabeth II and the wider UK in the wake of Prince Philip’s death.

“Saddened to hear of the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts and prayers are with Queen Elizabeth and the people of the United Kingdom at this time,” he tweeted.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Modi praised the Duke of Edinburgh for his “distinguished career in the military” and work at the forefront of “many community service initiatives”.

“My thoughts are with the British people and the Royal Family on the passing away of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” he tweeted. “May his soul rest in peace.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

“It was with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of The Duke of Edinburgh today,” Trudeau tweeted.

“A man of great purpose and conviction, who was motivated by a sense of duty to others, Prince Philip contributed so much to the social fabric of our country – and the world.”

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Mitsotakis, the prime minister of Greece, the birthplace of Prince Philip, also expressed condolences.

“On behalf of the people of Greece, I’ d like to extend our deepest condolences to her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family on the sad news of the passing of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh,” Mitsotakis said in a Twitter post.

“His Royal Highness gave dedicated service to the Crown, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over many decades. His contribution to public life, to the charities he served and his work with young people, will be greatly missed.”

French President Emmanuel Macron

Macron paid tribute to Prince Philip and sent his condolences to the Queen.

Prince Philip “lived an exemplary life defined by bravery, a sense of duty and commitment to youth and the environment”, he said on Twitter.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu praised Prince Philip as a “consummate public servant”, adding he would be “much missed in Israel and across the world”.

“I express my deepest condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh,” he Tweeted.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

Ardern described Prince Philip’s death as a “profoundly sad” moment and said New Zealand’s “thoughts” were with Queen Elizabeth II.

“Prince Philip will be fondly remembered for the encouragement he gave to so many young New Zealanders through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award,” Ardern said in a statement, citing his charitable work.

“In over fifty years of The Award in New Zealand, thousands of young people have completed life-changing challenges through the programme,” she added.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Morrison said Australians were sending their “love” and “condolences” to Queen Elizabeth II following Prince Philip’s death.

“For nearly 80 years, Prince Philip served his Crown, his country and the Commonwealth,” Morrison said in a statement.

“He embodied a generation that we will never see again.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Merkel said the death of Prince Philip had filled her with “great sorrow”.

“His friendship to Germany, his straightforwardness and his sense of duty will not be forgotten,” she said.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte

Rutte said the “thoughts and sympathy” of the Netherlands were with the UK’s Royal family and the country’s people “at this time of mourning”.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kenyatta said the Duke of Edinburgh had been a unifying figure, calling him a “great man”.

“His Royal Highness Prince Philip has been a towering symbol of family values and the unity of the British people as well as the entire global community.”

Prince Philip’s wife Elizabeth became queen in 1952 while on a trip to Kenya when her father passed away.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan

Khan praised the Duke for his support for the second largest country in the Commonwealth, which he last visited with the Queen in 1997 for a six-day tour.

“Britain has lost a wise elder who was imbued with a unique spirit of public service,” he tweeted.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella

Mattarella praised Philip’s “exemplary dedication, accompanying the evolution of his country with an open and innovative spirit”.

Italians would “cherish a grateful memory of his deep admiration for Italy’s artistic and cultural heritage”, he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Putin praised Prince Philip and wished Queen Elizabeth “courage and mental fortitude in the face of a grievous and irreparable loss”.

“He rightfully enjoyed respect among the British and internationally,” a statement from the Kremlin cited Putin as saying.

Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia

The Spanish monarch and his wife hailed Prince Philip’s “sense of service and dedication to the crown and the United Kingdom”, in a letter to Queen Elizabeth II.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

Guterres noted Prince Philip’s charitable efforts as he paid his respects to the latter.

“He was known for his dedication to charitable causes as a patron of some 800 organisations, in particular those focused on the environment, industry, sport and education,” Guterres said.

EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen

Von der Leyen said on Twitter she was “saddened to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip”.

“I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen, the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on this very sad day.”

Source: Al Jazeera