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Prince Philip Fulfilled His 99 Years of Mission

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By Patricia Kingswell

April 11, 2021
3:57 am
Los Angeles, CA

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,” announced Buckingham Palace on April 9, just after noon in London. “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.” Philip married the then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947—when he was 26 and she was 21—following distinguished service in the Royal Navy during World War II. During 73 years together, they had 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. “My dear Papa was a very special person who I think, above all else, would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him.” said Prince Charles, speaking from his southwestern England home of Highgrove. The

Philip married the then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947—when he was 26 and she was 21—following distinguished service in the Royal Navy during World War II.

During 73 years together, they had 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

“My dear Papa was a very special person who I think, above all else, would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him.” said Prince Charles, speaking from his southwestern England home of Highgrove.

The Princess Royal said her father “treated everyone as an individual, and gave them the respect he felt they were due.”

Mourning Prince Philip’s passing only two months before his 100th birthday, the royal family said they were “deeply grateful’’ for the outpouring of global support.

Britons continue to leave flowers outside Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

Europe’s Royal Households Express Sincere Sympathy and Fond Memories

“We shall never forget the moments that we shared with him,” King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain told the Queen, with “all our love and affection” to Aunt Lilibet (the affectionate name used by the duke for his wife) and Dear Uncle Philip.

Swedish royal family spokeswoman Margareta Thorgren told the BBC, the king and the Duke had sailed together in England, which was “the start of a great friendship.”

“[He was] a great friend of our family for many years,” said Sweden’s King Carl Gustaf; “A relation we have deeply valued.”

Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde said they would “always cherish the memories of our warm encounters.”

They will remember Prince Philip with great respect, said the Dutch royal family, adding: “His lively personality made an indelible impression.”

Heads of State and Prime Ministers Globally Send Heartfelt Tributes

Pope Francis paid tribute to Prince Philip’s “devotion to his marriage and family”, and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church praised his “commitment to the education and advancement of future generations.”

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern applauded the impact that Prince Philip’s Hillary Award had made on thousands of young people who had “completed life-changing challenges.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott said he was “a man who was steadfast, who could be relied upon.”

“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,” said US President Joe Biden. “He was a heck of a guy,” Biden told reporters. “99-years-old and he never slowed down at all.”

Donald Trump, who visited the Royal Family in 2019, said no-one carried on the British virtues more than Prince Philip, who “personified the quiet reserve, stern fortitude, and unbending integrity of the United Kingdom.”

“Prince Philip defined British dignity and grace,” Trump added, “[He was] a man who embodied the noble soul and proud spirit of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.”

“He was an environmentalist, and a champion of the natural world,” said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, said he would be remembered for leading a meaningful life.

41-Gun Salutes Fired Every 60 Seconds, for 40 Minutes

The British military paid tribute to Prince Philip with royal 41-gun salutes—an extra 20 added to the traditional 21-gun salute, as is the custom when given from a Royal Park or setting.

One round was fired every minute, for 40 minutes, on warships and in cities across the UK, including London, Edinburgh and Cardiff, and at Hillsborough Castle in County Down.

Gun salutes have been used in Britain since at least the 18th century to mark significant national events, including the deaths of Queen Victoria in 1901 and Winston Churchill in 1965.

In London, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery used the same guns that were fired for the Queen and the duke’s wedding in 1947, and at the Queen’s coronation in 1953.

Royal Navy ships at sea, including HMS Diamond and HMS Montrose, also fired salutes in honour of the duke, who served as a naval officer during World War II and held the office of Lord High Admiral.

Members of the Commonwealth, a group of 54 countries headed by the queen, were also invited to honor Philip.

“A Life Well-Lived.”

“His Royal Highness leaves us with a legacy of indomitable spirit, steadfastness and an unshakeable sense of duty,” said Gen. Nick Carter, chief of the defense staff.

Before retiring from official duties in 2017, Prince Philip carried out more than 22,000 solo public engagements and supported over 780 organizations, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for young people.

He will be laid to rest on April 17, in a traditional, low-key funeral at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. The royal ceremonial will be entirely closed to the public.