The royal family are mourning the loss of Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh died at the age of 99 on 9 April, and since his passing, his children and grandchildren have been honouring him with touching tributes.
Queen Elizabeth has not yet released a personal statement regarding her husband's passing, though the royal family shared a unified message immediately after the Prince's death. It read:
"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."
@theroyalfamily Instagram page also shared a photo of the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh surrounded by seven of their great-grandchildren at Balmoral Castle in 2018.
Prince Charles
Prince Charles paid tribute to his "dear papa" in a video statement on the BBC saying that he and the Royal Family miss him "enormously".said his father was a "much loved and appreciated figure".
Speaking from his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire, Prince Charles said over the last 70 years his father had "given the most remarkable, devoted service to the Queen, to my family and to the country, but also to the whole of the Commonwealth".
The prince said the Royal Family were "deeply touched" by the number of people in the UK, around the world and the Commonwealth, who he said shared "our loss and our sorrow".
He added his father was a "very special person who... above all else would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him".
The prince said he and his family were "deeply grateful" for this, adding: "It will sustain us in this particular loss and at this particularly sad time."
Princess Anne
“You know it’s going to happen but you are never really ready. My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic, but mostly it is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate. His ability to treat every person as an individual in their own right with their own skills comes through all the organisations with which he was involved.
I regard it as an honour and a privilege to have been asked to follow in his footsteps and it has been a pleasure to have kept him in touch with their activities. I know how much he meant to them, in the UK, across the Commonwealth and in the wider world.
I would like to emphasise how much the family appreciate the messages and memories of so many people whose lives he also touched. We will miss him but he leaves a legacy which can inspire us all.”
- A message from The Princess Royal following the death of her father, The Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Edward
A message from The Earl of Wessex to all those who have shared #DofE stories and their memories of his father, The Duke of Edinburgh:
“Reading just some of the wonderful memories you have shared about your experiences of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and, in some cases, of meeting my father, has been truly uplifting. I think I may have said once that he was a man that once met, never forgotten.
He had a unique ability to make a lasting impression in a remarkably short time. I, like all my family, have a lifetime of lasting impressions, inspiration, shared passions and love.
He may have departed this world, but his spirit and ethos lives on through his Award, through each and every life touched, transformed, inspired; then, now and in the future. Thank you one and all for helping to create such an extraordinary tribute.”
Prince William
“My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family.
I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – both through good times and the hardest days. I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her. I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!
My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support The Queen in the years ahead. I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job.”
A message from The Duke of Cambridge @kensingtonroyal
Prince Harry
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released a joint statement on their Archewell website. On Monday, 12 April, Prince Harry issued his own personal message to his grandfather, and it's an incredibly heartwarming read."My grandfather was a man of service, honour and great humour. He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm — and also because you never knew what he might say next," the Duke of Sussex's tribute opened.
"He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the Monarch, a decorated serviceman, a Prince and a Duke. But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right 'til the end."
His statement continued: "He has been a rock of Her Majesty The Queen with unparalleled devotion, by her side for 73 years of marriage, and while I could go on, I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, 'Oh do get on with it!'
"So, on that note, Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself. You will be sorely missed, but always remembered — by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie, and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts."
Princess Eugenie
Dearest Grandpa,
We all miss you.
You would be so touched by all the tributes that have been shared with me the past few days.
People remember sitting next to you at a dinner, or shaking your hand once, who remember you saying hello in passing, or remember how much their DofE award meant to them.
I remember learning how to cook, how to paint, what to read. I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the navy.
I remember incinerating the sausages and you swooping in to save the day.
I remember your hands and your laugh and your favourite beer.
I will remember you in your children, your grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Thank you for your dedication and love for us all and especially Granny, who we will look after for you.
With all my love
Eugenie