Prince Philip, the outspoken husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has died at age 99.
Buckingham Palace released the following statement on the morning of Friday the 9th of April, confirming his passing:
““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. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
Prince Philip, born on the 10th of June 1921 in Corfu as a member of the Greek Royal Family, lived through some of the most chaotic periods of Europe’s history in his subsequent exile to France, Germany, and Britain. His seven decade long marriage as consort to the Queen has widely been regarded as a grounding element to the Royal Family, offering unvarnished advice in all quarters that helped improve popular perception of the Royal Family over the last century, and was known for being blunt and forthright in his speech. The Queen referred to him as “her rock” in a rare display of unguardedness.
Existing in an unusual place in constitutional monarchy, Prince Philip (who was given the title of Duke of Edinburgh the day of his marriage to the Queen) lacked a formalized, official role in the Royal Family. He had said that “Constitutionally, I don’t exist,” and in an interview on his 90th birthday given to the BBC, said: “There was no precedent. If I asked somebody, ‘What do you expect me to do?’ they all looked blank.” In 2009, he became Britain’s longest serving consort.
First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, said the following: “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”.
