LONDON – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday paid tribute to Prince Philip as the country – and the world – reacted to the death of Queen Elizabeth II’s husband at the age of 99.
Johnson said outside his home on Downing Street in London that Philip “helped manage the royal family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution that is indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.”
He said Philip was “an environmentalist and a proponent of the natural world long before it was fashionable”, adding that he “inspired the lives of many young people” with his Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme.
“We remember the Duke for all these things and above all for his steadfast support of Her Majesty the Queen,” he said. “Not only as her company, to her every day of her reign, but as her husband, her strength and stay, ‘of more than 70 years.’
“And it is to Her Majesty and her family that the thoughts of our country must turn today, because they have lost not only a much-loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted man and a proud and loving father, grandfather and, in recent years, great-grandfather. ‘
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Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the British opposition Labor Party, paid tribute to the royal family and said in a statement that the United Kingdom had “lost an extraordinary civil servant”.
“Prince Philip has dedicated his life to our country – from a prominent career in the Royal Navy during World War II to his decades of service as the Duke of Edinburgh,” he said.
“However, he will be most remembered for his extraordinary devotion and devotion to the Queen.”
The Prime Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, tweeted that she was’ saddened by the news’, while Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement that Philip was’ a generation we will never see again. ‘
Philip has visited Australia more than 20 times, Morrison said, adding that his countrymen had sent their “love and compassion to Her Majesty and the entire royal family”.
In the United States, former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, have expressed their condolences to the monarch and the entire royal family.
“He represented the United Kingdom with dignity and brought sovereign boundless power and support,” Bush said in a statement.
“Laura and I are happy to enjoy the charm and cleverness of his company, and we know how much he will be missed.”
German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass said Philip “lived a long life in his country”, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that the royal “had a prominent career in the military and to was at the forefront of many community service initiatives. ”
Irish Foreign Secretary Simon Coveney also tweeted that it was “a very sad day for the UK”.
Caroline Radnofsky, Bianca Britton and Sara Mhaidli contributed.