The Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021 Prince among men

There have been a few moments in the past few years when the House of Windsor and people across Britain and the Commonwealth universally held their breath as Prince Philip tussled with potentially life-threatening illnesses, but the Queen’s unwavering consort seemed to be invincible. So when the news came of his death – even though this lion of a man had recently undergone heart surgery and was just two-months-and-a-day shy of his 100th birthday – the world was shocked, then terribly sad and overcome with an affection that grew as the myriad details of his life unfurled.

It was midday in the UK on Friday April 9 when Buckingham Palace released the statement no one was expecting. In the days that followed, many felt it heralded the end of an era. “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. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

“He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”
– HM Queen Elizabeth II

Immediately global media paused to deliver hour after hour, day after day of heartfelt tributes to this extraordinary man, reminiscences from a life of duty, service, action, his larrikin humour discussed, his unparalleled character regaled.

Speaking on behalf of the royal family, Philip’s first born, Prince Charles, was noticeably humbled by the public reaction. “My dear Papa was a very special person who I think above all else would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him and … we are, my family, deeply grateful for all that. It will sustain us in this particular loss and at this particularly sad time.”