Queen Elizabeth II has lost her « Roc »

The royal family, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth states mourn Prince Philip who died on April 9, 2021 at the age of 99.

Hospitalized after illness, he returned to Windsor Castle after surgery for a heart problem.

Who was Philip of Edinburgh?

Youth and family

Philip Mountbatten, Prince of Greece and Denmark, was born on June 10, 1921 on the island of Corfu in Greece. The only son of a sibling, he is the youngest of the 5 children of Prince André of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg. Although of German origin, he is Orthodox. His parents in exile, he attended various boarding schools in Europe, in Saint-Cloud, in France, and in Germany ….

In 1939, he joined the British Navy as a cadet and actively participated in World War II. During his studies at the naval college of Darmouth, he met Elizabeth, great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria and married her in November 1947. He renounced his nationality and his former titles of nobility, took the name of Philip Mountbatten and becomes Anglican.

The Duke of Edinburgh will be the great love of Queen Elizabeth during their 74 years of life together. The queen called her husband her « roc ».

On the death of George VI in 1952, Elizabeth ascended the throne and Philip became Prince Consort. The couple will have 4 children. Charles was born in 1948, Anne in 1950, Andrew in 1960 and Edward in 1964. Elizabeth gave him the education of children. He decides to send them to school rather than entrust them to a tutor.

His actions

In 1956, Philip created the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme to help young people in difficulty.

Between 1981 and 1996, his conviction for the defense of the environment led him to lead the World Wide Fund. Thanks to Prince Philippe, the Loire has remained the last wild river in Europe.

The Duke of Edinburgh, however, still remains in the shadow of his wife, when he had given up his career out of love for her. He is at his side during his travels and official visits (no less than 637 abroad). He decided to retire in 2017 at the age of 96 after nearly 25,000 official representations to the sovereign.

However, we notice him by his character traits, his reactions. He is known for his blunders and his sometimes questionable humor, but this does not tarnish his popularity.

Death

In a statement, Buckingham announced Friday morning the death of the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. He was 99 years and 10 months old.

« It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. » Prince Philip, who had recently been hospitalized, died peacefully this Friday morning at Windsor Castle. « 

The funeral

During his lifetime, Prince Philip had made it known that he wanted a simple funeral. There will therefore be no state funeral. A service will be held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Lord Chamberlain who will be responsible for arranging the ceremony. The coffin will be placed on the gun carriage which was used in 1901 for Queen Victoria.

He wanted to rest in the royal cemetery of the mausoleum of Frogmore House, with Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, not far from the mansion.

In addition, the main members of the British royal family will follow a funeral protocol. The code names for the funeral of the royal family are bridges. The choice of a bridge name is symbolic since it represents the passage from life to death. That of Prince Philip is « Forth Bridge », a 14 km railway bridge located in Edinburgh, in reference to his title of Duke of Edinburgh.

Tributes

Following this announcement, the flags are at half mast at Buckingham Palace and across the country. The palace posted a note announcing the death of the Duke of Edinburgh on its gates. Emotions run high across the UK and around the world. Many personalities pay tribute to Prince Philip, including several American presidents (Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, G.W. Bish, Bill Clinton).

Boris Johnson: « He won the affection of generations in the UK, across the Common Wealth and across the world » … « He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-great -proud and loving father « .

Emmanuel Macron: “I wish to express my sincere condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Family and the British people on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip who has lived an exemplary life defined by bravery, a sense of duty and commitment to young people and the environment ”.

Joe Biden: « Prince Philip is devoted to the people of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and his family ».

Philippe and Mathilde from Belgium: « We wish to express our sincere condolences to Her Majesty The Queen, to the British Royal Family, as well as to the people of the United Kingdom.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London: “The prince fought for Britain and the freedoms we hold dear today during World War II.

Mick Jagger: « I am very saddened to learn of the death of Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh … he will be remembered. »

Charles, Prince of Wales

It is with deep sadness that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Other announcements will be made in due course.The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning their loss.

Charles, Prince of Wales

Vendredi 9 avril 2021

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