‘You will be greatly missed’: Harry and Meghan lead tributes to Prince Philip
Tributes have began to pour in for Prince Philip, who died peacefully at Windsor Castle on Friday morning, UK time, at the age of 99. He was just two months away from his 100th birthday.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among the first to pay tribute to the prince. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan shared a touching tribute through their charity foundation, Archewell.
“In loving memory of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021,” the message, which was posted to the charity’s website, reads. “Thank you for all your service…you will be greatly missed.”
The social media accounts for both Prince William and Catherine, and Prince Charles and Camilla, shared the royal family’s death announcement alongside a photo of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Elsewhere, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to the prince, saying that he “embodied a generation we will never see again”.
“Through his service to the Commonwealth he presided as patron or president of nearly 50 organisations in Australia,” the Prime Ministerial Office’s statement said.
“Given his own service, Prince Philip also had a strong connection with the Australian Defence Force. For 65 years, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme has encouraged over 775,000 young Australians to explore their leadership potential. Forty thousand young Australians are currently participating in the program.
“Australians send our love and deepest condolences to her Majesty and all the Royal family. The Commonwealth family joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip. God bless from all here in Australia.
The statement added that flags would be lowered in Australia in honour of the prince. Prince Philip had visited Australia more than 20 times during his life.
Meanwhile, Queen Margrethe of Denmark sent her condolences personally to Queen Elizabeth II, according to a statement from the Danish royal household.
“Her Majesty The Queen has today sent personal condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in connection with the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh,” it read.
“Prince Philip was born in 1921 as Prince of Greece and Denmark and was a great-grandchild of Christian the 9th. A portrait of Prince Philip was painted by the Australian-born artist Ralph Heimans in 2017. In the painting, Prince Philip wears the Danish Order of the Elephant.”
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Others have taken to social media to pay their respects. British journalist Piers Morgan remembered the prince as “a truly great Briton who dedicated his life to selfless public duty”. “A very sad day for our country,” he wrote. “Thank you, Sir.”
Former President Barack Obama called the prince a “remarkable man”. “Prince Philip in particular was kind and warm, with a sharp wit and unfailing good humor,” he wrote on Instagram.
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The royal family released a statement at around midday Friday local time on its official Instagram account.
“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,” the Instagram post said.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
The royal family’s statement said “further announcements” will be made in “due course”.
The Duke of Edinburgh had battled a range of health issues in recent years and was released from hospital only three weeks ago, having contracted an infection and having had surgery for a heart condition that required a month’s hospitalisation. The royal family’s statement did not specify the cause of his death.
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