By Our Correspondent
According to a BBC news report, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace has announced.
In a statement shortly after midday, the palace said: “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
The Duke of Edinburgh, who was the longest-serving consort in British history, had returned to Windsor Castle on 16 March after a month in hospital.
Boris Johnson said he “inspired the lives of countless young people”.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband,” the palace said.
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
Speaking at Downing Street, the prime minister said that the duke had “earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world”.
Meanwhile, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said he “consistently put the interests of others ahead of his own and, in so doing, provided an outstanding example of Christian service”.
The flag at Buckingham Palace was lowered to half-mast and a notice was posted on the gates following the announcement of the duke’s death.
Bunches of daffodils, tulips, roses and lilies were among floral tributes placed by people outside the palace, while crowds began to gather at Windsor Castle.
The BBC’s royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said it was “a moment of real national sadness” and “a moment of sadness, most particularly of course, for the Queen losing her husband of 73 years – a bigger span of years than most of us can imagine”.
He said Prince Philip had made “a huge contribution to the success of the Queen’s reign”, describing the duke as “utterly loyal in his belief in the importance of the role that the Queen was fulfilling – and in his duty to support her”.
“It was the importance of the solidity of that relationship, of their marriage, that was so crucial to the success of her reign,” he added.
Source: BBC News
In our article on this news site last week by Dr Charles Leyman Kachitsa’s ‘Inspirational Quotes for the Weekend,’ he quoted one of Malawi independence fighters icon Vera Chirwa in her book entitled Fearless Woman in which she describes the kind heart of the Duke of Edinburgh who has just passed away towards Africa as follow:
“Orton sent me a ticket to come home and attend the independence celebrations in July 1964. The Queen’s husband, The Duke of Edinburgh, came to represent the British government. When we reached State House to celebrate we were all disturbed by the fact that a barrier had been put up with Dr Banda, The Duke, Kadzamira and the other dignitaries on one side and the rest of us on the other. The hall was simply cut into two by a rope and we were surprised and rather displeased to find a barrier at out own independence celebration. ——– Dr Banda never stayed long at parties. Even with a chief guest as important as the Duke of Edinburgh, he left early. ——– He referred to his minister as ‘my boys’, which they of course felt very offended by, except Orton, whom he always called ‘Mr Chirwa’. That evening the leader sent for Orton: —–‘Mr Chirwa, I’m leaving now. Look after our guest, the Duke of Edinburgh.’ —- Orton and I then crossed the barrier and I danced with the Duke. It was a special moment to dance with this ultimate representative of the British Empire in celebration of the freedom for which we had fought so hard. After Dr Banda had left the Duke broke the barrier down. He removed the rope and went to dance with almost every woman at the party. People were pleased.”
