Tributes paid to Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip

Tributes have been paid locally to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died today (9 April), at the age of 99.

Flags outside civic buildings in the Rochdale borough have been lowered to half-mast.

Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, said: “We are all saddened to hear the news today. We have been fortunate to welcome Prince Philip and the Queen to the borough in the past, which many will remember fondly.

“His work has created a wonderful legacy in initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh Award which so many local children have benefited from for decades and continue to do so. Prince Philip has been a wonderful servant to the country and all our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

Steve Rumbelow, chief executive of the council, said: “On behalf of the council I offer my deepest condolences to the Queen and Royal Family.

“Prince Philip was a loyal public servant whose service to our country will be remembered with gratitude and respect. He was an example and inspiration to all and his passing is a moment of great national sadness.”

Council leader Allen Brett said: “Prince Philip has been a steadfast companion to the Queen and a loyal servant to the country. The news of his passing will be met with great sadness by the people of the borough of Rochdale and everyone at the council. My thoughts and condolences are with the Queen and other members of the Royal Family at this very sad time.”

Councillor Ashley Dearnley, the leader of the Conservative group at the council, said: “I am deeply saddened at the news of Prince Philip’s death. He was a tremendous public servant for our country for more than 70 years and an incredible support to Her Majesty The Queen throughout her reign. He will be greatly missed. I was lucky enough to meet Prince Philip on a couple of occasions and he was gracious, charming and knowledgeable about our area.”

The Rochdale Council of Mosques has also offered sincere condolences to the royal family: “The Rochdale Council of Mosques, on behalf of the Muslim community of Rochdale, offers its sincerest condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family on the loss of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. 

“Prince Philip represented love, duty and family. His love and exemplary support for her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, during 73 years of successful marriage helped our nation maintain continuity and stability. Many of us that arrived on these shores to build lives for ourselves and our families came to rely on this stability. 

“We pay tribute to Prince Philip’s sense of duty, in wartime through his military service, as well as in peacetime, through discharge of his royal duties. Beyond this, his legacy will remain with us through the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, in which he invested so much of his time and energy so that young people may have avenues and opportunities to better themselves.

“Finally we pay tribute to a family man devoted to his wife and children and also a grandfather to the nation, who united so many of us. Prince Philip will be missed by us."

A statement issued by the palace just after midday spoke of the Queen's "deep sorrow" following his death at Windsor Castle on Friday morning: “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. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”

An online book of condolence has been launched on the official royal website for those who wish to send messages.

Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on 10 June 1921 to Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, and Princess Alice, a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

He married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she would become Queen.

Together they had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950.

Their second son, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, was born in 1960 and their last child, the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.