Politicians And World Leaders Pay Tribute To The Duke Of Edinburgh, Who Has Died Aged 99
7 min read
Tributes for HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh have poured in from MPs, UK leaders and foreign politicians following the announcement of his death at the age of 99.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to the Duke in a statement outside Downing Street earlier, during which he said the country owes him “a greater debt than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know”.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle issued a statement remembering the Duke’s “unwavering support to the Queen, both as a husband and a consort”, as well as his “devotion to service and his leadership of hundreds of ideals and causes close to his heart”.
Leading figures in the government have also have also paid tribute to Prince Philip, with chancellor Rishi Sunak noting his “humour and positivity”, and home secretary Priti Patel saying she “joins the rest of the nation in mourning his passing and remembering a great man”.
Labour leader Keir Starmer shared a statement earlier in which he said “the United Kingdom has lost an extraordinary public servant in Prince Philip”.
“Prince Philip dedicated his life to our country - from a distinguished career in the Royal Navy during the Second World War to his decades of service as the Duke of Edinburgh,” he added.
Leaders of the home nations have also spoken out following the news, including Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford. He wrote: “[Prince Philip] served the crown with selfless devotion and will be sorely missed by the people of Wales and the many organisations he supported.”
Leaders of several parties campaigning for the May elections have announced that they will be suspending the campaigning, including Scottish Labour, Welsh Labour, Scottish Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats.
In a statement confirming the move, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: “We shouldn’t forget Prince Philip was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather & great grandfather. So our thoughts are with The Queen and the whole Family at this difficult time.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: “My thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen who has lost her beloved husband - a life partner and a constant companion.”
Numerous MPs have also express condolences. Senior Tory MP Jeremy Hunt wrote on Twitter: “The Duke of Edinburgh personified the sense of duty that makes us so proud of our Royal Family and so proud to be British. Thank you for your service to our country and RIP.”
And former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote: "Losing a loved one, as so many families have this past year, is always heartbreaking. My thoughts are with Prince Philip’s family and all who loved him."
Carrie Symonds, the Prime Minister’s fiance, said she was “very sad” to hear the news, adding that Philip had led an “incredible life devoted to the Queen, his family and our country”.
Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Friday that the country will be "united in sadness" at the death of Prince Philip.
"He will be most recognised as a remarkable and steadfast support to the Queen...However, he should also be remembered in his own right as a man of foresight, determination and courage,” he said.
Former Prime Miniser Gordon Brown, speaking alongside his wife Sarah, wrote on Twitter that he was “saddened” by the news, and expressed their “deepest sympathies to Her Majesty and the Royal Family”.
Fellow former PMs David Cameron and Theresa May have both issued statements, with Cameron saying that the UK has "lost an extraordinary public servant", while May said that "the nation and the entire Commonwealth owe Prince Philip an extraordinary debt of gratitude."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the capital would “forever be grateful for the contribution His Royal Highness made to our city and our country”, adding that his legacy will “live on for many years to come”.
And Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby issued a substantive statement praising the “unfailing support and unstinting loyalty” of the Duke to Queen Elizabeth over 73 years.
“He consistently put the interest of others ahead of his own and, in so doing, provided an outstanding example of Christian service,” Welby wrote.
World leaders have also expressed their praise for the life of Prince Philip. EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she was “saddened” by the news.
“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,” von der leyen wrote on Twitter.
Members of the Commonwealth have also paid tribute, including Australian prime minister Scott Morrison. He wrote: “His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was, in the words of Her Majesty, her 'strength and stay'.
“He embodied a generation that we will never see again.”
And India’s prime minister Narendra Modi said: “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.”
Ireland's foreign minister Simon Coveney also tweeted: “I want to express sincere condolences to all British people on the sad passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“Our thoughts and solidarity are with you on a very sad day for the United Kingdom.”
In a statement released by the White House, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said they sent their "deepest condolences" to the Royal Family following the news.
"The impact of his decades of devoted public service is evident in the worthy causes he lifted up as patron, in the environmental efforts he championed, in the members of the Armed Forces that he supported, in the young people he inspired, and so much more," it read.
"His legacy will live on not only through his family, but in all the charitable endeavors he shaped."
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of the Representatives in the United States, also sent her regards. She wrote on Twitter: "The US Congress extends condolences over the passing of Prince Philip, whose life was distinguished by an inspiring ethic of dedicated service.
"May it be a comfort to Her Majesty & the Royal family that so many mourn with & pray for them at this sad time."
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