File – In this Wednesday June 24, 2015 file photo, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip travel by boat on the Spree river in Berlin, Germany. Buckingham Palace officials say Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has died, it was announced on Friday, April 9, 2021. He was 99. Philip spent a month in hospital earlier this year before being released on March 16 to return to Windsor Castle. Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, married Elizabeth in 1947 and was the longest-serving consort in British history. (Hannibal Hanschke/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Reaction from around the world on the death of Prince Philip at age 99:
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden say they are keeping Queen Elizabeth II and her family in their hearts following the death of Prince Philip. In offering condolences on behalf of the United States, the Bidens say in a statement the impact of the prince’s decades of public service is evident in the causes he advocated. The Bidens cited Philip’s involvement with environmental causes, the military and young people.
They add Philip’s legacy will live on not only through his family, his children and grandchildren, but in all the charitable endeavors he helped shaped.
PRINCE PHILIP DIES AT 99
Prince Philip, the irascible and tough-minded husband of Queen Elizabeth II who spent more than seven decades supporting his wife in a role that both defined and constricted his life, has died, Buckingham Palace said Friday.
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Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, dies at 99
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LONDON — The British government says all official flags, including the Union Flag, will fly at half-staff across all U.K. government buildings until 8 a.m. the morning after the funeral of Prince Philip.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport issued the flag-flying arrangements. It advised any non-official flags, such as the Armed Forces flag, should be taken down and replaced with a Union Flag flying at half-staff. The national flags of the U.K.’s four constituent nations — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — can be flown.
VALLETTA, Malta — The prime minister and president of Malta, a British Commonwealth country, expressed their sorrow at the death of Prince Philip, who was stationed in Malta early in his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Philip who handed over the formal independence documents to Malta’s prime minister in September 1964, ending 165 years of British rule.
Prime Minister Robert Abela recalled the prince had “made Malta his home and returned here so often. Our people will always treasure his memory. Our sincerest condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and to the @Royalfamily.”
President George Vella conveyed his “heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty.” He included in his tweet a photograph of the Queen and Philip during a 2015 state visit to Malta.
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a condolences telegram to Queen Elizabeth II that Prince Philip was respected at home and around the world. “Many important events in the modern history of your country are associated with the name of His Royal Highness,” the message said, according to the Kremlin. “He rightfully enjoyed respect among the British and international authorities.”
The Russian Embassy in London also posted a condolences message, noting Philip was the great-great-grandson of Russian Czar Nicholas I.
HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa sent his condolences to the British royal family over the death of Prince Philip in a tweet.
“My deepest condolences to the people of the United Kingdom and the @RoyalFamily on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Phillip. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
In Tanzania, the new President Samia Suluhu Hassan says, “I convey my heartfelt condolences. We stand with you during this difficult time of loss and mourning.”
In Somalia, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed says, “He led an extraordinary life of service and had a huge impact on British society.”
NEW DELHI — India’s prime minister offered condolences on the death of Prince Philip.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet: “My thoughts are with the British people and the Royal Family on the passing away of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He had a distinguished career in the military and was at the forefront of many community service initiatives. May his soul rest in peace.”
BERLIN — Germany’s president says Prince Philip will be remembered as one who helped in the fight against Nazi tyranny.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany’s head of state, offered a condolence message to Queen Elizabeth II. He says it had been his “great pleasure” to experience Philip’s sharp-witted humor firsthand in meetings in London and Berlin. We Germans mourn a winning personality who made an important contribution to the reconciliation of our nations after the horrors of the Second World War,” Steinmeier said.
“As a member of the Royal Navy, Prince Philip fought for the liberation of Europe from Nazi terror,” Steinmeier added. “His contribution to democracy and peace will remain in our memories.”
TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the royal family has lost a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather with the death of Prince Philip. Trudeau says he was a “man of great service to others,” first as a decorated naval officer and later as a leader in philanthropy.
Trudeau says he had a special relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces and noted he was named honorary general of the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force, as well as honorary admiral of the Royal Canadian Navy. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state in Canada, a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies.
LONDON — British politics was put on pause following news of Prince Philip’s death, with figures from all parties expressing condolences and extending sympathy to the queen. The main parties suspended campaigning for next month’s local and Scottish elections as a mark of respect. House of Commons authorities say lawmakers would be recalled a day early from their Easter break on Monday so they could pay tribute.
LONDON — Leaders from across the political divide in Northern Ireland have joined forces to mourn the death of Prince Philip. First Minister Arlene Foster, whose Democratic Unionist Party strongly supports Northern Ireland’s status within the United Kingdom, says Philip’s death represents a “sadness that I know will be shared by countless others in Northern Ireland and right across the world.”Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, the leader of Sinn Fein, which espouses Northern Ireland’s union with Ireland, also extended her condolences to Queen Elizabeth II and her family.
LONDON — Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has expressed his condolences on the death of Prince Philip, praising his role as royal consort as well as his charitable works. Blair described Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, as a man who was way ahead of his time in fighting for the protection of the environment, reconciliation among religious faiths and in the creation of programs to help young people.
“Our whole nation will be united in sadness at the passing of Prince Philip,” Blair said in a statement. “He will naturally be most recognized as a remarkable and steadfast support to the Queen over so many years. However, he should also be remembered and celebrated in his own right as a man of foresight, determination and courage.”
DALLAS — Former U.S. President George W. Bush has praised Prince Philip’s devotion to worthy causes and to others in a statement issued on behalf of himself and his wife, Laura. “He represented the United Kingdom with dignity and brought boundless strength and support to the sovereign.
Laura and I are fortunate to have enjoyed the charm and wit of his company, and we know how much he will be missed,” Bush said. He added he and his wife offer heartfelt condolences to Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of Philip’s family.
PARIS — France’s Europe minister, Clement Beaune tweeted, “Prince Philip was a grand figure of the century for the United Kingdom,” following his death at age 99.
Source: Associated Press