'IRREPARABLE LOSS'
Putin hails Prince Philip’s ‘international prestige’ in telegram wishing the Queen ‘courage and fortitude’ in her grief
PUTIN has hailed Prince Philip's "international prestige" as he wished the Queen "courage and fortitude" in her grief following her beloved husband's death.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been married to the Queen for 73 years, passed away "peacefully" at Windsor Castle this morning.
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The Queen today shared a poignant photo of Philip as she talked of her "deep sorrow" in a heartfelt tribute to her "beloved" husband.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "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."
World leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, have paid tribute to Prince Philip.
"The name of His Royal Highness is associated with many important events in your country’s recent history," Putin said in a telegram to the Queen.
"He rightfully enjoyed respect among the British and internationally."
Putin wished the Queen "courage and mental fortitude in the face of a grievous and irreparable loss".
Russia’s Embassy in London tweeted: "The Duke of Edinburgh, great-great-grandson of Russian Emperor Nicholas I, was admired and will be mourned by many Russians."
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US President Joe Biden said Prince Philip "gladly dedicated himself to the people of the UK".
"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," Biden said in a .
"His legacy will live on not only through his family, but in all the charitable endeavors he shaped.
"Jill and I are keeping the Queen and Prince Philip’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in our hearts during this time."
Justin Trudeau described the Duke of Edinburgh as "a man of great purpose and conviction".
"It was with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of The Duke of Edinburgh today," the Prime Minister of Canada said in a .
"A man of great purpose and conviction, who was motivated by a sense of duty to others, Prince Philip contributed so much to the social fabric of our country - and the world.
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"Prince Philip will be remembered as a decorated naval officer, a dedicated philanthropist, and a constant in the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
"The thoughts of all Canadians are with her and the entire Royal Family as they mourn this significant loss."
Former US president George W Bush said he was "fortunate to have enjoyed the charm and wit" of Prince Philip's company.
"Laura and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh," the statement said.
"Throughout his long and remarkable life, he devoted himself to worthy causes and to others.
"He represented the United Kingdom with dignity and brought boundless strength and support to the sovereign."
Australia's prime minister, Scott Morrison, said the Duke of Edinburgh "embodied a generation that we will never see again".
"Australians send our love and deepest condolences to her Majesty and all the Royal family," he said.
"The Commonwealth family joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip. God bless from all here in Australia."
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Morrison ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in Australia to honour the death of Prince Philip on Friday.
"Prince Philip was no stranger to Australia, having visited our country on more than 20 occasions," Morrison said.
"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."
Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called Philip a loyal servant to the UK who "lived a long life of service to his country".
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of His Royal Highness Prince Philip. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Royal family, the people of the Commonwealth, and all who loved him dearly," Maas tweeted.
King Harald V of Norway, a second cousin of the Queen and a second cousin once removed of the Duke of Edinburgh, also paid tribute to Prince Philip.
"Our thoughts are with Queen Elizabeth and the rest of her family," he said.
"We also send our condolences to the British people."
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King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium tweeted that they were "deeply saddened" by Prince Philip's passing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mourned the Duke of Edinburgh on Twitter, saying his death was an "irreparable loss".
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden said Prince Philip's "service to his country will remain an inspiration to us all".
"Prince Philip has been a great friend of our family for many years, a relation which we have deeply valued," he said.
India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, said on Twitter: "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 Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: "Saddened to hear of the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
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"Our thoughts and prayers are with Queen Elizabeth and the people of the United Kingdom at this time."
The president of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, tweeted: "The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who was born in Corfu, served his country with devotion for many decades.
"I extend my warm condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the members of the @RoyalFamily and the British people."
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, extended her "sincere sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen, the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on this very sad day".
The UK's Embassy of Denmark said in a statement: "It is with deep sorrow that we learn of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen's beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. We offer our condolences to Her Majesty and her family."
France's Europe minister, Clement Beaune, shared a black and white image of Prince Philip on Twitter, with the caption: "Prince Philip was a great figure of the century for the United Kingdom. Thoughts and friendships for the British people."
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New Zealand's prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said: "Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen at this profoundly sad time.
"On behalf of the New Zealand people and the Government, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Her Majesty and to all the Royal Family."
Reuven Rivlin, the president of Israel, tweeted: "My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Prince of Wales, the @RoyalFamily and the people of the United Kingdom on the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
"May his memory be a blessing."
Robert Abela, the prime minister of Malta, said he was "truly saddened" by the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
"Truly saddened by the loss of Prince Philip, who made Malta his home and returned here so often. Our people will always treasure his memory," he said in a statement.
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Prince Philip passed away two months and one day short of what would have been his 100th birthday.
His death comes just weeks after he was taken to London’s King Edward VII Hospital on February 16 after feeling unwell.
BBC radio stations immediately interrupted broadcasts with the news of his death and played the national anthem shortly after in a sign of respect.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute and said "he helped to steer the Royal Family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life".
Prince Philip has been one of the hardest working royals - since 1952 he attended 22,219 solo engagements and 637 overseas tours in a career marked by his famous gaffes, wit and wisdom.
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He had retired from his public duties at the age of 96 in 2017 after 65 years of public life.
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The royal was born on the Greek island of Corfu on June 10, 1921, to parents Princess Anne of Battenberg and Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark.
He married Elizabeth in 1947 at Westminster Abbey, described as her "constant strength", after the pair met at the wedding of Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark and Prince George, Duke of Kent, in 1934.
Boris Johnson pays tribute to Prince Philip and offers condolences to The Queen following Duke's death aged 99
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