The world’s media has paid tribute to Prince Philip today after it was announced the Duke of Edinburgh has died at the age of 99.
News websites across the globe – from Europe to North America, Australia and Asia – all ran the story at the top of their pages as a fitting tribute to a man whose life and legacy meant so much to so many.
In Germany, newspaper Bild paid tribute to him as ‘the Queen’s greatest support’ while broadsheet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung quoted The Queen saying Prince Philip was her ‘Strength and Support’ at the top of its homepage.
Italy‘s La Repubblica referred to him as ‘the Queen’s discreet shadow’, and the ‘only one who could say to the Queen “Shut Up”‘.
French daily newspaper Le Parisien quoted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in its headline, writing: ‘Death of Prince Philip: Boris Johnson hails the “extraordinary work of the Duke of Edinburgh”‘.
Germany newspaper Bild wrote its website’s front page: The Queen mourns her husband. Prince Philip is dead. The 99-year-old fell asleep peacefully at Windsor Castle
Farewell to Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s discreet shadow for over 70 years. The only one who could say to the Queen “Shut up” – the headline on Italy’s La Repubblica
France’s Le Parisien wrote: ‘Death of Prince Philip: Boris Johnson hails the ‘extraordinary work of the Duke of Edinburgh”‘
Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung quoted The Queen saying Prince Philip was her ‘Strength and Support’ at the top of its homepage.
France’s Le Monde, a daily afternoon newspaper, had the news on its homepage, writing: ‘Philip Mountbatten, husband of Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday at the age of 99, marked his time with a complex personality to say the least’
Germany’s Die Welt: ‘Farewell to a royal provocateur’
The Süddeutsche Zeitung, published in Munich, wrote: ‘On the death of Prince Philip. At your service’
News of Philip’s passing made its way around the world after Buckingham Palace issued a statement on Friday afternoon saying that Prince Philip had died ‘peacefully’ that morning at Windsor Castle.
The duke had spent his final days at Windsor with his wife after a 28-night stay in hospital having been admitted in mid-February for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition.
News of Prince Philip’s passing was prominent on the home pages around the world.
France’s Le Monde, a daily afternoon newspaper, had the news on its homepage, writing: ‘Philip Mountbatten, husband of Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday at the age of 99, marked his time with a complex personality to say the least.’
Meanwhile in Spain, newspaper El Pas featured a black and white picture of Prince Philip with The Queen in their younger years, announcing: ‘Prince Philip of Edinburgh dies at 99’ on it website.
In Israel, the Jerusalem post also placed the sad news at the top of its page. ‘Britain’s Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, dies aged 99,’ the headline read.
In the United States, Fox News announced ‘Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, passes away at age of 99’, accompanied by a picture of Prince Philip, The Queen and their four children – Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew
CNN led with a picture pf Prince Philip with the headline: ‘Prince Philip has died at age 99′, while The Washington Post shared the same black and white picture used on Spain’s El Pais’ website, writing: ‘Royal consort to Queen Elizabeth II dies at 99’.
The Boston Globe’s headline read: ‘Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, dies at age 99′, and on the New York Times’ website used similar language.
In Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald wrote: ‘The Duke of Edinburgh, who went where the storm carried him,’ while Canada’s Toronto Sun shared the news with a picture of the Duke boarding a plane with The Queen, waving to a crowd.
New Zealand’s NZ Herald had three different stories following the news of Prince Philip’s passing. One looked at the world’s reaction while another had the headline ‘Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s extraordinary love story.
The third looked at Prince Philip’s ‘line of duty’, charting his life through the years.
America’s Fox News wrote: ‘Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, passes away at age of 99’
US news CNN wrote: ‘Prince Philip has died at age 99’
The New York Times: ‘Prince Philip, Husband of Queen Elizabeth II, Is Dead at 99’
The Boston Globe’s headline read on the news story read: ‘Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, dies at age 99’
The Washington Post: ‘Royal consort to Queen Elizabeth II dies at 99’
In Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald also had the news at the top of its page. ‘The Duke of Edinburgh, who went where the storm carried him’ it wrote
New Zealand’s NZ Herald had three different stories following the news of Prince Philip’s passing. One looked at the world’s reaction while another had the headline ‘Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s extraordinary love story. The third looked at Prince Philip’s ‘line of duty’, charting his life through the years
In Canada, the Toronto Sun wrote: ‘Prince Philip, Husband of Queen Elizabeth, dies age 99
In Canada, the Vancouver Sun’s headline read: ‘Britain’s Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, dies aged 99
Her Majesty announced her husband’s death at midday. Buckingham Palace said in a statement: ‘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 made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss’.
His death plunges the nation and the Royal Family into mourning, and brings to an end Philip’s lifetime of service to Britain and to Elizabeth, the Queen who adored him since her teens.
Her Majesty is now expected to enter an eight-day period of mourning. She will not carry out any duties, even in private, while laws will not be given the Royal Assent and affairs of state will also be paused.
A further period of official Royal Mourning is expected to continue for 30 days.
Officials at Buckingham Palace are now preparing for a royal ceremonial funeral at Windsor Castle in Berkshire in keeping with Philip’s wishes, with a military procession also expected in London – Covid laws permitting.
Israel’s Jerusalem Post’s headline read: ‘Britain’s Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, dies aged 99
Spain’s El Pais newspaper had a picture of Prince Philip with The Queen in their younger years, announcing: ‘Prince Philip of Edinburgh dies at 99’
De Telegraaf, the largest Dutch daily morning newspaper, wrote: ‘British Prince Philip passed away’
Russian news agency TASS wrote: Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Philip dies
France’s La Voix du Nord, shared a photograph of Prince Philip in uniform, with the headline: ‘Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, dead at 99’
Poland’s Gazetta Wyborcza wrote: ‘Prince Philip is dead. Queen Elizabeth II’s husband was 99 years old’
Tributes also poured in from leaders around the world, with Commonwealth leaders leading international reaction to the Duke of Edinburgh’s death at the age of 99.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison tweeted that the duke ’embodied a generation that we will never see again. Australians send our love and deepest condolences to Her Majesty and all the Royal family.
‘The Commonwealth family joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip. God bless from all here in Australia,’ he tweeted.
Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau described Philip as a ‘man of great purpose and conviction’ in a tribute posted on the social media platform.
‘A man of great purpose and conviction, who was motivated by a sense of duty to others, Prince Philip contributed so much to the social fabric of our country – and the world,’ he wrote.
‘Prince Philip will be remembered as a decorated naval officer, a dedicated philanthropist, and a constant in the life of Queen Elizabeth II.’
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi recalled Philip for his ‘distinguished career in the military” and work “at the forefront of many community service initiatives’.
‘May his soul rest in peace,’ he added.
Other world leaders also offered their respects, with Irish President Michael D Higgins expressing his condolences to the Queen.
‘On behalf of the people of Ireland, I wish to convey my condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her children, her extended family and the people of the United Kingdom,’ he said in a statement.
He added: ‘For over 60 years, and as husband to Britain’s longest serving monarch, Prince Philip served the British people with an unfailing commitment and devotion to duty.
‘In the course of his long service he frequently brought an air of informality to otherwise formal occasions.
‘His distinctive presence and unique sense of humour put participants at ease and always engaged those who encountered him.”
President Higgins added in Irish ‘Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis’, meaning may his holy soul be on the right side of God.
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the duke would be “missed in Israel and across the world”.
He wrote on Twitter: “I express my deepest condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh.
“Prince Philip was the consummate public servant and will be much missed in Israel and across the world.”
Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf also paid tribute, calling Philip ‘a good friend of our family [and] a friendship we have placed great value on.’
‘His contribution to his country is an example for all of us. We extend our condolences to Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Family and the people of Great Britain,’ he added.