World mourns at loss of Prince Philip
His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, husband, and consort of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years died peacefully at Windsor Castle on Friday morning, Buckingham Palace has announced.
The official announcement from the palace included, “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty the Queen announces the death of her beloved husband”.
Prince Philip is the longest-serving consort in British history, the Queen being the longest-reigning monarch, at 69 years, surpassing Queen Victoria in 2015.
The Duke of Edinburgh had recently spent four weeks in hospital for cardiac treatment and both he and the Queen had been resident at Windsor for most of the last 12-month long Covid lockdown period.
A World War Two Navy veteran, Prince Philip has died 2 months before his 100th birthday, which would have been on June 10.
The UK is now undergoing an 8-day period of official mourning. There will be a 41-gun salute to the Duke from 1100 hrs BST, (0600 EST), on Saturday, April 10, at one-minute intervals. This will be televised globally.
The moment UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson gave the announcement;
Exact funeral arrangements are unknown in detail for now, but it is believed that the Duke requested a ‘no frills’ arrangement.
However, it is known that the funeral will take place at St. George’s chapel at Windsor.
Covid compliance is insisted on by Buckingham Palace, and so this will not be the full ceremonial affair with crowds gathered en-masse as would normally be expected.
Further statements from Buckingham Palace are expected over the next few days regarding the exact arrangements.
Moving tributes have been paid to the Duke of Edinburgh by current and former world leaders, including Barak Obama, Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau and current U.S. President, Joe Biden.
(There will be further updates from Porter Medium)
