‘Embodied a generation that we will never see again’: Here’s what they’re saying about the death of Prince Philip

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This article was published 08/04/2021 (1358 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, passed away Friday at the age of 99.

Tributes and messages of consolation for the Royals poured in from around the world.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed sadness after hearing the news.

“Prince Philip maintained a special relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces and over the years became Colonel-in-Chief of six Canadian units,” Trudeau said in a statement.

“The thoughts of Canadians are with Queen Elizabeth II and the members of the royal family as they mourn such a significant loss,” he added.

U.S. President Joe Biden sent his condolences in a joint statement with his wife, First Lady Jill Biden.

“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,” Biden said in the statement.

Toronto Mayor John Tory offerred condolences to the royal family on behalf of all Torontonians:

“Prince Philip’s connection to Toronto was a deep and heartfelt one. He visited our city 20 times, beginning in 1951 when he accompanied then Princess Elizabeth on a tour she made in place of her ailing father, King George,” Tory said in a statement.

In address from 10 Downing Street, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “Prince Philip owned the affection of generations, here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth and around the world.”

“We are a kingdom united both in grief and gratitude; grief at Prince Philip’s passing, and gratitude for his decades of selfless service to the country,” he said in a statement.

In a message to the Queen, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “Many important events in the contemporary history of your country are connected with the name of His Royal Highness.”

“He has rightfully enjoyed the respect of the British nation as well as international recognition,” Putin added.

London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan, tweeted: “Today, we mourn the loss of an extraordinary man, who devoted his life to public service and helping others.”

“He had a distinguished career in the military and was at the forefront of many community service initiatives,” said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was one of the first world leaders to express his condolences on the passing of the royal.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Natenyahu tweeted: “Prince Philip was the consummate public servant and will be much missed in Israel and across the world.”

Former U.S. President George W. 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 added he and his wife offer heartfelt condolences to Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of Philip’s family.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted Prince Philip “embodied a generation that we will never see again.”

“For nearly 80 years, Prince Philip served his Crown, his country and the Commonwealth,” Morrison said in the statement.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern remembered the royal for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award commemorated in his name. “In over fifty years of The Award in New Zealand, thousands of young people have completed life-changing challenges through the programme,” she said.

France’s Europe minister, Clement Beaune tweeted, “Prince Philip was a grand figure of the century for the United Kingdom.”

Akrit Michael is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Reach him via email: amichael@thestar.ca