THE nation is mourning the death of Prince Philip aged 99 – and Express.co.uk is inviting readers to share tributes to the Queen’s beloved husband for our book of condolences.
Buckingham Palace announced Philip’s death in a statement just after midday.
The statement said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
“Further announcements will made in due course.
The nation is mourning the death of Prince Philip aged 99 (Image: GETTY)
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
A framed notice was attached to the railings of Buckingham Palace for a short period but was taken down to prevent crowds from forming due to the pandemic.
Philip had been spending the lockdown at Windsor Castle with the Queen, 94.
The Duke was reunited with the monarch on March 16 after spending a month in hospital where he underwent heart surgery.
Buckingham Palace announced Philip’s death in a statement just after midday (Image: GETTY)
The Royal Family has also set up a book of condolences for the Queen’s husband on the royal website.
Royal author Penny Junor said the impact of Philip’s death on the monarch – his wife of 73 years – will be “enormous”.
Ms Junor said: “The Queen will no doubt have been expecting this for some time.
“Prince Philip was an age when it was inevitable sooner or later, but he has been such an important figure in her life.
Philip had been spending the lockdown at Windsor Castle with the Queen (Image: GETTY)
“I think the impact will be enormous.
“They had been together a lifetime – an absolute lifetime.
“He was such a support to her, and a friend to her – a real companion.
“Fundamentally, they made each other laugh.
Philip spent decades supporting the Queen and completed more than 22,000 public engagements before his retirement in 2017 (Image: GETTY)
“He was someone who kept her feet on the ground, and stopped her being quite so lonely in what really is an incredibly lonely world.”
Tributes have flooded in for Philip from figures around the world.
The Duke, who was just two months away from his 100th birthday, was known for his gaffes but he was a moderniser of the monarchy.
Philip spent decades supporting the Queen and completed more than 22,000 public engagements before his retirement in 2017.
In a speech in 1997 to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary, the monarch paid a touching tribute to her husband.
She said: “He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments.
“But he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”
Source: EXPRESS CO UK
