Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband of 73 years, has died at the age of 99.
Buckingham Palace announced he died peacefully on the morning of April 9 at Windsor Castle.
“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,” said a release from the palace.
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
While he was no stranger to Saskatchewan, having made eight official trips to the province, Prince Philip has never been to Humboldt, Tisdale, Melfort or Nipawin. The closest he's been is Saskatoon and Last Mountain Lake.
He and the Queen did express condolences of about the Humboldt Broncos bus collision.
Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on June 10, 1921. As the son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, and Princess Alice of Battenberg, he was in the line of succession for both the thrones of Denmark and Greece. He renounced both Danish and Greek royal titles by 1947. The Greek monarchy has been abolished since 1973.
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth married on Nov. 20, 1947. They had four children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty, Saskatchewan's representative to the Queen, said he extended his deep sympathies to Her Majesty and The Royal Family.
“As the longest serving British consort, The Duke of Edinburgh led a rare and remarkable life. In addition to his lifelong support of Her Majesty, The Duke was Patron or President of over 800 organizations. The Duke of Edinburgh Award, which he founded in 1956, inspired millions of young people to serve their communities and to expand their knowledge through experience.”
Scott Moe, Saskatchewan's premier, expressed similar sentiments.
“I join all of Her Majesty's loyal subjects in Saskatchewan in sending our sincere condolences to Her Majesty in her bereavement, as well as to all members of the Royal Family,” he said.
“We share in this sorrow with millions of others across the Commonwealth and the world. It is our hope that the knowledge of the extraordinary impact that His Royal Highness had on so many people and organizations in his many decades of public life will provide comfort and solace.”
Flags on all Government of Saskatchewan buildings will be flown at half-mast immediately and until sunset on the evening of His Royal Highness' Funeral. A virtual book of condolence is available on the Lieutenant Governor's Website at www.ltgov.sk.ca.
