The Duke of Edinburgh has died at the age of 99.
Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, passed away on Friday morning at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace announced.
The Duke and the Queen were married for more than 70 years and Philip dedicated decades of his life to royal duty, serving the nation at the monarch’s side.
Following the announcement of his death, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am saddened by news that the Duke of Edinburgh has died.
“I send my personal and deepest condolences – and those of the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland – to Her Majesty The Queen and her family.”
Speaking from a podium in Downing Street, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “He was an environmentalist, and a champion of the natural world long before it was fashionable.
“With his Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme he shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people and at literally tens of thousands of events he fostered their hopes and encouraged their ambitions.
“We remember the duke for all of this and 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.
“And it is to Her Majesty, and her family, that our nation’s thoughts must turn today.
“Because they have lost not just a much-loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather and, in recent years, great-grandfather.”
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said: “On behalf of all the people of the United States, we send our deepest condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the entire royal family, and all the people of the United Kingdom on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
“Over the course of his 99-year life, he saw our world change dramatically and repeatedly.
“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.
“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.
“His legacy will live on not only through his family, but in all the charitable endeavours he shaped.
“Jill and I are keeping the Queen and to Prince Philip’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in our hearts during this time.”
Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister of Australia, praised the Duke for his service to “his country and the Commonwealth”.
He added: “Prince Philip was no stranger to Australia, having visited our country on more than 20 occasions.
“Through his service to the Commonwealth he presided as patron or president of nearly 50 organisations in Australia. 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.”
Former US president Barack Obama tweeted: “Through his extraordinary example, His Royal Highness Prince Philip proved that true partnership has room for both ambition and selflessness — all in service of something greater.
“Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen, the Royal Family, and the British people.”
Russian leader Vladimir Putin also conveyed his condolences.
“Many important events in the contemporary history of your country are connected with the name of His Royal Highness,” Putin said in a statement.
“He has rightfully enjoyed the respect of the British nation as well as international recognition.”
A Kremlin statement said Putin “wished Queen Elizabeth II fortitude and resilience in the face of this severe and irreparable loss and requested that his sincere condolences be passed to all the members of the royal family”.
French president Emmanuel Macron tweeted: “I wish to express my sincere condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Family and the British people upon the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip who lived an exemplary life defined by bravery, a sense of duty and commitment to the youth and the environment.”
Nicholas Soames, a former Conservative MP and the grandson of wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, tweeted: “The death of Prince Philip marks the passing of a truly remarkable man who lived a life of impeccable and dedicated service to his Queen and Country.”
The British Army also tweeted its condolences.
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, paid tribute to the Duke’s “extraordinary life of dedicated service”.
He added: “On the occasions when I met him, I was always struck by his obvious joy at life, his enquiring mind and his ability to communicate to people from every background and walk of life. He was a master at putting people at their ease and making them feel special.
“The legacy he leaves is enormous.”
Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheal Martin posted on Twitter: “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.”
Mark Drakeford, First minister of Wales, also offered his condolences.
He said: “It is with sadness that we mourn the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
“Throughout his long and distinguished life, he served the crown with selfless devotion and generosity of spirit.
“We offer our sincere condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, his children and their families on this sad occasion.
“He will be missed by the many organisations that he supported as patron or president over many decades of service.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “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.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also paid her respects, tweeting: “I am 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.”
STV NewsThe Union Jack flag at Buckingham Palace was at half-mast on Friday, while a framed plaque announcing Philip’s death was placed on the front gates by royal household staff.
The notice remained on the gates for around an hour before being taken down, and some people laid flowers.
Flags will fly at half-mast on UK Government buildings in tribute to the Duke from now until the morning after his funeral.
Guidance was issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the flying of official flags.
All such flags, which include Union flags and any national flag, are to be “half-masted on all UK Government buildings as soon as possible on Friday until 8am on the day following the funeral”, the department said.
It advises that any non-official flags, which include for example the rainbow flag or Armed Forces flag, should be taken down and replaced with a Union flag flying at half-mast.
The department said devolved administrations would issue instructions “for the flying of the Union flag and other official flags on buildings in their estate and others as necessary”.
Scottish Parliament presiding officer Ken Macintosh expressed his condolences on Twitter, as he ordered the flags outside Holyrood to fly at half-mast.
He later confirmed that the Scottish Parliament will be recalled on Monday so that members can pay their respects to the Duke, who “extended his friendship and support to the parliament from the outset”.
STV NewsIn tribute, Police Scotland’s chief constable Iain Livingstone said: “It is with great sadness that we have today learned of the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
“His Royal Highness spent many days in Scotland, particularly at Balmoral, and met many people at functions in Aberdeenshire and across Scotland.
“Whether at the side of Her Majesty The Queen or making his own visits to organisations, his interest in and support of those who serve Scotland and our communities was clear to everyone.
“We will be taking time to pay our respects over the coming days.”
STV NewsThe minister of the church used by the Royal Family when at Balmoral Castle expressed the community’s sadness at the Duke’s death.
Reverend Kenneth MacKenzie, minister of the Parish of Braemar and Crathie and domestic chaplain to the Queen, said: “Everybody has favourite memories of the Duke, he was just a very interesting man and took a real interest in this area.
“He knew a lot of people and a lot of families who have multi-generational interest in this area, so some folk he knew not just their parents but grandparents.
“Everyone will remember him with respect but also a degree of affection, he was really highly thought of around here.”
The reverend admitted the Covid-19 pandemic had caused “difficult times for everybody” including the Royal Family.
However, he added: “Until very recently the Duke was going out and about when he would come up.
“Through the late summer and the autumn he would be getting around the estate and take an interest on what was going on.
“He’s known to be someone who was sharp-witted and very funny but he was a thinking man and had a lot of ideas about how best to look after this part of the world, it’s a beautiful area.
“He was part of that family for all those years and it was such a dutiful role that he played that he was as involved in this community in some ways as almost anybody else and that family’s been involved for many generations in this place.
“A lot of what goes on around here is testimony to some of his thinking.”
Rangers said the football club was “saddened by the passing of Prince Philip”.
Posting on Twitter, the club added: “Our deepest sympathies go to Her Majesty and the rest of the Royal Family.”
Hibs also paid tribute, highlighting the Duke’s “wonderful affinity” with Edinburgh.
The club added: “Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen and all the Royal Family.”
A spokesperson for Hearts FC said: “Everyone at Heart of Midlothian Football Club is saddened by the passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
“We extend our sympathies to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family at this difficult time.”
The makers of royal drama The Crown said they were “deeply saddened” over the Duke’s death.
Philip was played by Doctor Who star Matt Smith in the first two series of the lavish Netflix series, opposite Claire Foy as the Queen.
He was replaced by Outlander actor Tobias Menzies for series three and four, opposite Olivia Colman as the Queen.
The first series followed the earlier days of the relationship between the Queen and Philip, while the second series dramatised tensions in the marriage.
Later episodes showed his interest in and passion for space travel.
A statement from the show, written by Peter Morgan, said: “Netflix, Left Bank Pictures, Sony Pictures Television and the production team on The Crown are deeply saddened to hear of the death of The Duke of Edinburgh.
“Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this sad time.”
Oscar nominee Jonathan Pryce will take over the role of the Duke of Edinburgh for the fifth and six series of the show, which will be the last.
He will star opposite Imelda Staunton as the Queen.
STV NewsEuropean royal families have also paid tribute.
The Dutch royal family offered its “heartfelt sympathy” to the Queen.
The official Twitter account of the Royal House of the Netherlands posted a message from King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix.
They said: “It is with great respect that we remember His Royal Highness Prince Philip.
“Throughout his long life, he committed himself with dedication to the British people and to his many duties and responsibilities.
“His lively personality never ceased to leave an unforgettable impression.
“Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy goes out to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and all the members of the Royal Family.”
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden said in a statement that Philip remained “an inspiration to us all”.
He said: “The Queen and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
“Prince Philip has been a great friend of our family for many years, a relation which we have deeply valued.
“His service to his country will remain an inspiration to us all.
“We offer our sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen, the royal family and the people of the United Kingdom.”
The Belgian Royal Palace said it was “deeply saddened” by Philip’s death, tweeting a tribute along with photos of the family with Philip.
“Deeply saddened by the passing away of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the palace said.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences to Her Majesty The Queen, the British Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom.
“Philippe and Mathilde.”
The Duke of Edinburgh was Braemar Mountain Rescue Team’s long-standing patron since 1966.
In a statement, the team said: “He always took a keen interest in our work and was generous with his time and support.
“We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family.”
Chief officer Martin Blunden from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “It is with profound sadness that we have today learned of the death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family at this time.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s website has since been transformed into a memorial page to the Duke of Edinburgh.
A short message on archewell.com says: “In loving memory of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, 1921-2021, thank you for your service… you will be greatly missed.”
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