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Lancashire Times
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2:18 PM 9th April 2021
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The Duke Of Edinburgh Dies Aged 99

 
Buckingham Palace has announced the passing of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh:

"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."

At the express request of HRH Duke of Edinburgh, and in line with current COVID restrictions, there will be no official ceremonial events during this period.

Although this is an extraordinarily difficult time for many, we are asking the public not to gather at Royal Residences, and continue to follow public health advice particularly on avoiding meeting in large groups and on minimising travel.

We are supporting the Royal Household in asking that floral tributes should not be laid at Hillsborough Castle at this time. The Royal Family have asked that members of the public consider making a donation to a charity instead of leaving floral tributes in memory of The Duke of Edinburgh.

An online Book of Condolence is now available should members of the public wish to express their condolences. This is available at the Royal Family Website https://www.royal.uk/condolence

Further details of the funeral will be announced by Buckingham Palace in due course.

The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.

The Royal Horticultural Society commented:

"It is with great sadness and deep respect that the Society marks the passing of His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who died today, Friday 9 April.

"His Royal Highness was a dedicated campaigner for the conservation of our natural world. He pioneered the path to climate activism, devoting himself to raising public awareness of the complex relationship between humanity and the environment. Throughout his lifetime, The Duke supported and worked closely with many organisations concerned with the protection of the world’s flora and fauna and was International President of the World Wildlife Fund from 1981 until 1996.

"He was the longest serving British Royal consort and his unwavering devotion to Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, and to public duty, was an inspiration for many and evident throughout their life together.

"Over the years, until he retired from royal duties in 2017, Prince Philip attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show alongside The Queen, and inspected the gardens and floral displays with enthusiasm and the keen eye for detail he was renowned for.

"The Duke was also present when Her Majesty planted a purple beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple’) in the Jubilee Arboretum at RHS Garden Wisley in May 1978 and when she opened The Glasshouse there on 26 June 2007, to mark the bicentenary of the foundation of the RHS.

"As a mark of respect and due to our sorrow of the passing of His Royal Highness the RHS will be closing all four of its RHS Gardens at Wisley, Hyde Hall, Harlow Carr and Rosemoor for the rest of today and also on the day of the funeral when it is confirmed.

"We send our deepest condolences to HRH The Queen and members of the Royal Family at this sad time."

Responding to the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, today, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:

“On behalf of all councils across England and Wales, I’d like to express our sincere condolences to the whole Royal Family.

“Councils will be putting into place local arrangements to support the public in expressing their own sympathies, such as opening books of condolence, flags being flown at half-mast and the laying of flowers in public areas.”

Tony Danker, CBI Director-General:

“Today we mourn the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh. “He was a great advocate for UK enterprise around the world spanning much of his lifetime.
“He will be warmly remembered by the UK business community
“Our thoughts are with Her Majesty the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family at this time.”