Joe Biden praised Prince Philip’s ‘decades of devoted public service’ as he led world leaders in paying tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh who died today aged 99.
The US president said Philip ‘gladly dedicated himself to the people of the UK’ while championing charitable causes and environmental issues.
‘We send our deepest condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the entire Royal Family, and all the people of the United Kingdom on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip,’ a White House statement said.
‘His legacy will live on not only through his family, but in all the charitable endeavours he shaped.’
Germany’s Angela Merkel praised Prince Philip’s ‘friendship, straightforwardness, and ‘sense of duty’ while France’s Emmanuel Macron hailed ‘an exemplary life defined by bravery, a sense of duty and commitment to the youth and the environment.’
Vladimir Putin of Russia, Canada’s Justin Trudeau, the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern, India’s Narenda Modi and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu were also among those who paid tribute to Prince Philip – a man with presence on the world stage.
Meanwhile Europe’s royals, including the kings of Spain, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands expressed their condolences, with Dutch King Willem-Alexander calling Philip: ‘A lively personality [who] never ceased to leave an unforgettable impression.’
Joe Biden has led world leaders in paying tribute to Prince Philip after the Duke of Edinburgh passed away today at the age of 99
Angela Merkel (right) has said she is ‘deeply saddened’ to hear of the death of Prince Philip (left, in 2015) as she praised his ‘sense of duty’
George W Bush has joined world leaders in paying tribute to Prince Philip after his death today at the age of 99 (pictured, the pair together at the White House in 2007)
Vladimir Putin (pictured with Prince Philip in London in 2003) said the duke ‘rightfully enjoyed respect among the British and international prestige’
Former US president Barack Obama tweeted: ‘Through his extraordinary example, His Royal Highness Prince Philip proved that true partnership has room for both ambition and selflessness – all in service of something greater.’ (Above, Mr Obama, with his wife, Michelle, and the senior royals in 2016)
Former US President George W Bush also paid a glowing tribute to a man he said represented his country ‘with dignity’.
Bush said: ‘Throughout his long and remarkable life, he devoted himself to worthy causes and to others.
‘He represented the United Kingdom with dignity and brought boundless strength and support to the sovereign,’ he said.
And former US president Barack Obama tweeted: ‘Through his extraordinary example, His Royal Highness Prince Philip proved that true partnership has room for both ambition and selflessness – all in service of something greater.
‘Our thoughts are with Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Family, and the British people.’
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain telegrammed ‘Dear Aunt Lilibet’ to mourn the passing of ‘Dear Uncle Philip’, the royal household said.
The message expressed ‘all our love and affection’, adding: ‘We shall never forget the moments that we shared with him and the legacy of service and dedication to the Crown and the United Kingdom by your side.’
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden praised Philip as ‘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.
King Harald of Norway added: ‘Our thoughts are with Queen Elizabeth and the rest of her family. We also send our condolences to the British people.’
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he sent the Queen a telegram expressing his ‘deep condolences’, wishing her ‘courage and fortitude in the face of a grievous and irreparable loss.’
‘The name of His Royal Highness is associated with many important events in the recent history of your country,’ he said.
‘He rightfully enjoyed respect among the British and international prestige.’
The Russian embassy in London issued a separate statement pointing out that Philip was the ‘great-great-grandson of Russian Emperor Nicholas I’ and saying that he will be ‘mourned by many Russians.’
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and his wife Queen Máxima issued a statement honouring the duke’s ‘lively personality’ which they said ‘never ceased to leave an unforgettable impression’.
‘Throughout his long life, he committed himself with dedication to the British people and to his many duties and responsibilities,’ they added.
‘Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy goes out to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and all the members of the Royal Family.’
Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands said on Twitter: ‘On behalf of the government I have sent my condolences to prime minister Boris Johnson on hearing the sad news of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip.
‘Our thoughts and sympathy are with Britain’s Royal Family and the British people at this time of mourning.’
A spokesman for King Philippe of Belgium said the monarch had conveyed his condolences to the Queen in a private message and hoped to speak to her in person as soon as it is possible.
A public statement added: ‘Deeply saddened by the passing away of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
‘We wish to express our deepest condolences to Her Majesty The Queen, the British Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom.’
Queen Margrethe of Denmark, who was Philip’s cousin, also conveyed her ‘personal condolences’ to Queen Elizabeth in a private letter which was not made public, the royal household said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed ‘deep sadness’ over the passing of Britain’s Prince Philip on Friday, saying he will be ‘fondly remembered as a constant in the life of our Queen.’
‘Prince Philip was a man of great purpose and conviction, who was motivated by a sense of duty to others,’ Trudeau said on behalf of this Commonwealth nation, adding that ‘the Duke always sought out the best in people and challenged them to strive for greater heights.’
Ireland’s prime minister Micheal Martin on Friday sent his condolences to Queen Elizabeth, saying he was ‘saddened’ to hear of Prince Philip’s passing.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Queen Elizabeth and the people of the United Kingdom at this time,’ he said.
Foreign minister Simon Coveney tweeted: ‘I want to express sincere condolences to all British people on the sad passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
‘Our thoughts and solidarity are with you on a very sad day for the United Kingdom.’
Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald added: ‘Sincere condolences to Queen Elizabeth and family on the death of her husband Prince Phillip. Sympathies to those of a British identity on our island, for whom his death will be felt as a great loss.’
Arlene Foster, the DUP leader and First Minister of Northern Ireland said the loss would be felt across Ireland and the world.
German foreign minister Heiko Mass tweeted a statement which said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of His Royal Highness Prince Philip.
‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Royal family, the people of the Commonwealth, and all who loved him dearly.
‘He lived a long life of service to his country.’
The President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier added: ‘Prince Philip was popular and highly respected in Germany. I had the pleasure of personally experiencing his astute humour during our meetings in London and Berlin. His commitment to democracy and freedom will be remembered’.
German ambassador to Britain, Andreas Michaelis, said: ‘His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, will be sorely missed. It is a great privilege that he visited Germany on so many occasions and helped us develop a very close partnership between the United Kingdom and Germany. Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family.’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted: ‘I am saddened to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip. I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen, the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on this very sad day.’
Spain’s Queen Letizia and King Felipe sent a telegram to ‘Dear Aunt Lilibet’ wishing ‘all our love and affection’ on the death of ‘Dear Uncle Philip’
Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (left, alongside Queen Elizabeth, Queen Silvia, and Prince Philip) also paid tribute, calling the duke ‘a good friend of our family’
A spokesman for King Philippe of Belgium (right, meeting Prince Philip and the Queen in 2007) said the monarch had conveyed his condolences to the Queen in a private message
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (left with the Queen and Prince Philip) paid tribute to his ‘lively personality’ while Norway’s King Harald (right, greeting Philip with his wife Queen Sonja) said: ‘Our thoughts are with Queen Elizabeth’
Michel Barnier, Europe’s chief negotiator during Brexit, said: ‘I am saddened to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
‘Sincere condolences to Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family. My solidarity to all the people of the United Kingdom today.’
France’s Europe minister, Clement Beaune, tweeted simply that ‘Prince Philip was a grand figure of the century.’
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also paid tribute, saying the duke had ’embodied a generation that we will never see again’ and added that Australia ‘joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip’.
In a statement issued from Canberra, Mr Morrison said: ‘For nearly 80 years, Prince Philip served his Crown, his country and the Commonwealth.
‘His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was, in the words of Her Majesty, her ‘strength and stay’.
‘He 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.
Across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern also praised Philip’s legacy which will live on through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
‘In over fifty years of The Award in New Zealand, thousands of young people have completed life-changing challenges through the programme,’ she said.
‘Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen at this profoundly sad time. On behalf of the New Zealand people and the Government, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Her Majesty and to all the Royal Family,’ she added.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy tweeted: ‘Deep condolences to the Royal Family. Irreparable loss for the British people.
‘Ukraine grieves together with Great Britain. Prince Philip lived a great life to serve his people and to be an example for the future generations.’
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the duke’s military career and community work in a statement issued from Delhi.
It read: ‘My thoughts are with the British people and the Royal Family on the passing away of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
‘He had a distinguished career in the military and was at the forefront of many community service initiatives. May his soul rest in peace.’
Justin Trudeau praised Philip as ‘a mna of great purpose and conviction’ who ‘always sought out the best in people and challenged them to strive for greater heights’
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has led world leaders in paying tribute to Prince Philip who died today at the age of 99
Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to Philip’s legacy in the form of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which tens of thousand of New Zealand children participate in each year
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his ‘deepest condolences’ the the Royal family.
‘Prince Phillip was the consummate public servant and will be much missed in Israel and across the world,’ he wrote.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin added: ‘My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Queen Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales, the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
‘May his memory be a blessing.’
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan praised the Duke for his support for the second largest country in the commonwealth, which he last visited with the Queen in 1997 for a six-day tour.
‘Britain has lost a wise elder who was imbued with a unique spirit of public service,’ he tweeted.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted: ‘I convey my deepest condolences on behalf of my country and the Turkish nation. I share the sorrow of the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom.’
‘My deepest condolences to the people of the United Kingdom and the Royal Family on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Phillip’, said President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.
‘May his soul rest in eternal peace.’
President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya said the Duke of Edinburgh had been a unifying figure, calling him a ‘great man’.
‘His Royal Highness Prince Philip has been a towering symbol of family values and the unity of the British people as well as the entire global community.’
Ivan Korkok, Slovakia’s minister of foreign affairs offered his ‘deepest condolences’ to the Queen and Royal Family.
Malta’s prime minister, Robert Abela, said he was ‘truly saddened by the loss of Prince Philip, who made Malta his home and returned here so often.
‘Our people will always treasure his memory,’ he added.
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, president of the Maldives, called Philip ‘a staunch exemplar of public service.’
Meanwhile emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said: ‘My sincere condolences and sympathies to Her Majesty The Queen, the Royal Family and the British people on the loss of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The head of UNESCO tweeted her ‘sincere condolences’ to the royal family and the United Kingdom after Philip’s death.
‘His Royal Highness Philip was a pillar of English modern history and a strong advocate of Planet action through the Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Award. He will be missed,’ Audrey Azoulay said on Twitter.
The government in Taiwan also issued a statement which read: ‘The government & people of Taiwan extend their deepest condolences on the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the royal family, & the people of Great Britain & the Commonwealth.
‘May he rest in peace.’
A statement issued by Buckingham Palace at midday announced Philip’s death on behalf of the Queen, who expressed ‘deep sorrow’ at his passing – which happened ‘peacefully’ on Friday morning.
Philip – an outspoken former navy commander – had devoted much of his life as the queen’s husband to charity work but was also notorious for his many opinionated public remarks which caused humour and offence in often equal measure.
He had recently spent time in hospital, being admitted on February 16 for treatment on a pre-existing heart condition and then for an infection, before returning home a month later.
Tributes poured in from the United States, Europe and Commonwealth countries including Australia, India and New Zealand.
Condolences were also expressed by leaders in Ireland, where in 2011 the queen and Philip paid the first royal state visit for a century following generations of enmity with Britain.