Last updated on August 23rd, 2023 at 11:27 am
The above image appeared on the website of the British Monarchy on the morning of Friday, 9 April 2021, together with the following announcement:
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces 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.
Further announcements will be made in due course.
The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.
Friday, 9 April 2021”
This is a very sad loss for the nation, but especially for his wife, our Queen, her children and grandchildren. Our thoughts are with them.
Among the many obituaries and tributes circulating on the web is this one from the BBC.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Born: Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, 10 June 1921, at Mon Repos, Corfu, Greece
Died: 9 April 2021, Windsor Castle, Berkshire, United Kingdom
RIP and thank you
I remember reading that Prince Philip was really the only person the Queen confided in. It must be horrible for her.
Yes, it’s easy to forget sometimes that they were a married couple. Very tough for her.
My sympathy to the family and the country.
Thank you!
I cried when the sad news was announced and for the remainder of the day I was glued to the television. As a Royalist, I already knew much about his life.
He always made me smile and I admired him greatly. I think his nomadic childhood and lack of family nurturing had much to do with his diplomatic skills, or should I say lack of them, and of course his general persona.
He gave up his own career to serve Britain and our queen and will be missed by so many of us. RIP. Sir.
Thank you for this post, Mike.
Lovely thoughts, Sue. I hope most people share your admiration; I certainly do.
Thank you, Mike.
Hi Mike – thanks for putting this post up for us … he turned Britain towards better times … he was highly intelligent; so sad for his family today … with our thoughts for them and particularly his widow, our Queen. With thoughts – HIlary
Yes – we can only imagine what the Queen is going through, bless her.
I learned a lot about Prince Philip yesterday; I wish I’d bothered to learn some of it while he was still alive.
Same here; makes you think!
Hi Mike,
I was very sorry to hear the news this morning. As an American, and an Anglophile, the older I get the more respect I have for the older Royals, especially Elizabeth and Philip. They were together for so long, I know she will feel his loss terribly. I read the piece on the BBC that you provided the link for — it was a good piece. Hal has been reading about the Duke today, too.
I’m going to try and visit more in the future. I haven’t forgotten about your blog, things have just been busy here. Take care, and condolences from us to Britain, the Queen, and all family.
Denise
Thanks, Denise; hope all is well with you. I don’t visit blogs as often as I’d like – not enough hours in the day. Yes, it’s a sad day for the Royal Family, the UK and nations across the globe.
This is very sad, and I have the utmost respect for Prince Philip. Most Americans do. He was a fine man with grace and humor, a war hero, and a stalwart supporter of Britain and Her Majesty the Queen. I have question, as you are quite an historian. My husband was a U.S. Navy flyer. The Ark Royal came to Norfolk, Virginia when Prince Charles was a member of the ship’s company. Hubby’s squadron had two Royal Air Force exchange officers, and they arranged for some of the Ark Royal’s fighter crews to come the and teach the squadron how to play cricket (and of course enjoy a picnic and a pint). They were hopeful and requested that Prince Charles would join them, but it didn’t happen. Isn’t that a great story? It’s one of Hubby’s fondest Navy memories. He wonders if Prince Philip ever landed on an aircraft carrier. Do you know? Thank you, Mike.
Thanks, Jennie. yes, he was quite a guy. That’s a lovely story; cricket and a pint – wonderful! I don’t know whether Prince Philip ever landed on an aircraft carrier. Somehow, I doubt it. Must admit, it was only relatively recently I found out that he was a pilot!
Thank you, Mike. I appreciate your reply, and I’m glad you enjoyed Hubby’s story.
He was one of a kind
Very true. Will Aus become a republic, do you think, after the Queen goes?
A lot of people will be learning for the first time about his strange early years, but also about his concern for the environment long before anybody else was bothered.
It was quite recently that my late husband managed to get told off by the duke. Cyberspouse was visiting his friend in Windsor and strolling down the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park with his camera when the duke came by driving a carriage. Cyberspouse thought he would try for a shot of the beautiful black horses and the duke said ‘Haven’t you got anything better to photograph!’ the ‘stable girls’ on board giggled.
You’re right – he was ahead of the curve, so to speak, on the environment. Lovely story – thank you!
Not unexpected, of course, but still sad.
No – but yes, very.
An amazing man who gave up his passion to support his wife, our Queen, so superbly. A job well done, Sir!
Yes – a remarkable man, Peter. Could do with more like him, frankly.
A glass raised to England today. My thoughts are with you.
Glasses raised across the UK, MB, and to other nations across the globe. RIP, Phil!
This is terribly sad. I’ve been watching BBC all day. What a remarkable legacy he left to the world. I join with my friends in the UK in sending healing thoughts to the Queen.
It must be so hard for Her Maj. The BBC has actually received thousands of complaints about too much coverage of his passing. some people have too much time on their hands.
A sad day, indeed, Mike. Our thoughts are with the Queen and her family, and with the UK. He was a shining example for the entire world.
Yes, Jim; he was indeed. Almost the end of an era.