Queen Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip, the Duke Of Edinburgh, has died. He was 99.
Buckingham Palace announced the sad news on Friday (April 9).
“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,” the statement read. “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss,” the statement continued, adding, “Further announcements will be made in due course.”
Prince Charles and Camila, the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, also shared a similar statement via their official Instagram account, Clarence House and Kensington Royal, respectively.
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth have been married for over seven decades – they celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in November of 2020. He is survived by his wife, Queen Elizabeth, children Prince Charles of Wales, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, several grandchildren – including Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie – and several great-grandchildren, including Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son Archie.
Princess Eugenie’s her newborn son, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, whom she welcomed on June 10, is named, in part, after the duke. “On his grandfather’s birthday weekend, thinking of my grandfather, we are introducing our little boy. He is named after his great grandfather and both of his great x5 grandfathers,” she wrote at the time.
Prince Philip officially announced his retirement from public duties in May 2017. He’s had several health scares over the past years – most recently, he was hospitalized in February for treatment for an infection as well as a procedure for a pre-existing condition, and remained in the hospital for 28 days. He was released in mid-March, returning to Windsor Castle.
Following news of the duke’s passing, people all over wrote heartfelt tributes on social media.
Tom Holland tweeted, “RIP Prince Philip: a cricketer who always called Istanbul Constantinople, had a fascination with UFOs, & who was – as the Queen still is – a living link to the heroism of the generations that lived through the Second World War.”
Former Spice Girl Geri Horner wrote, ” RIP Prince Philip. Thinking of Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family at this time.”
Liverpool FC wrote: “As a mark of respect, Liverpool Football Club will mark the passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, by flying club flags at half-mast. May he rest in peace.
“My deepest condolences to HM Queen Elizabeth II, who has lost her husband, confidant & life partner and to his children, grandchildren & all of the royal family. HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh RIP,” singer Elaine Page wrote.
Star Trek’s George Takei tweeted: “My heartfelt condolences to the royal family in this time of grief, and especially to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has spent a lifetime by her Prince Phillip.”
Shark Tank’s Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, also honored Prince Philip’s “lifetime of public service,” adding, “My thoughts are with the Queen and all of the Royal Family.”
Rest in peace, Prince Philip.
