Pope Francis today offered condolences on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The condolences were expressed in the following telegram sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis, by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:
Telegram
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
LONDON
SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF YOUR HUSBAND PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH, HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS OFFERS HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO YOUR MAJESTY AND THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. RECALLING PRINCE PHILIP’S DEVOTION TO HIS MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, HIS DISTINGUISHED RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND HIS COMMITMENT TO THE EDUCATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF FUTURE GENERATIONS, HIS HOLINESS COMMENDS HIM TO THE MERCIFUL LOVE OF CHRIST OUR REDEEMER. UPON YOU AND UPON ALL WHO GRIEVE HIS LOSS IN THE SURE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION, THE HOLY FATHER INVOKES THE LORD’S BLESSINGS OF CONSOLATION AND PEACE.
CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE
The husband of Queen Elizabeth died Friday at Windsor Castle in England. He was 99. His death was announced by Buckingham Palace, which said he passed away peacefully. Philip and Elizabeth were married in 1947.
The official statement issued at Buckingham Palace said:
“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 be made in due course.
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
Leaders from around the world offered their thoughts on the death of the Prince.
From US President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill:
On behalf of all the people of the United States, we send our deepest condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the entire Royal Family, and all the people of the United Kingdom on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Over the course of his 99-year life, he saw our world change dramatically and repeatedly. From his service during World War II, to his 73 years alongside the Queen, and his entire life in the public eye — Prince Philip gladly dedicated himself to the people of the UK, the Commonwealth, and to his family. The impact of his decades of devoted public service is evident in the worthy causes he lifted up as patron, in the environmental efforts he championed, in the members of the Armed Forces that he supported, in the young people he inspired, and so much more. His legacy will live on not only through his family, but in all the charitable endeavors he shaped.
Jill and I are keeping the Queen and Prince Philip’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in our hearts during this time.
From UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson:
It was with great sadness that a short time ago I received word from Buckingham Palace that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has passed away at the age of 99.
Prince Philip earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world.
He was the longest-serving consort in history, one of the last surviving people in this country to have served in the second world war at Cape Matapan, where he was mentioned in despatches for bravery and in the invasion of Sicily, where he saved his ship by his quick thinking and from that conflict he took an ethic of service that he applied throughout the unprecedented changes of the post-war era.
Like the expert carriage driver that he was he helped to steer the royal family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.
He was an environmentalist, and a champion of the natural world long before it was fashionable.
With his Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme he shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people and at literally tens of thousands of events he fostered their hopes and encouraged their ambitions.
We remember the Duke for all of this and above all for his steadfast support for Her Majesty The Queen.
Not just as her consort, by her side every day of her reign, but as her husband, her “strength and stay”, of more than 70 years.
And it is to Her Majesty, and her family, that our nation’s thoughts must turn today.
Because they have lost not just a much-loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather and, in recent years, great-grandfather.
Speaking on their golden wedding anniversary, Her Majesty said that our country owed her husband “a greater debt than he would ever claim or we shall ever know” and I am sure that estimate is correct.
So we mourn today with Her Majesty The Queen we offer our condolences to her and to all her family
and we give thanks, as a nation and a Kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Other world leaders offered condolences, including representatives of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
