It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced 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



Prince Phillip

Tributes have been paid following the announcement by Buckingham Palace of the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

MP for Stafford Theo Clarke said: “I was greatly saddened to hear that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh 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 and helped to steer the royal family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our local and national life.
As an environmentalist myself, I want to particularly pay tribute to his dedication to campaigning for a new attitude to protecting our environment. He was 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 as a child who went through the scheme at my school, I want to personally thank him, through these pages for his focus on young people, their welfare and ambitions.
However, it is for his steadfast support for Her Majesty The Queen that he will, and should be most remembered. As her consort, by her side every day of her reign, and as her husband, he was her “strength and stay”, of more than 70 years.”

Leader of Stafford Borough Council, Patrick Farrington, said:
“It is very sad news to hear that His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has passed away. All our thoughts are with the Royal family at this time.
Prince Philip dedicated his life to serving our country both at home and across the globe and I hope we will all take the time to reflect on his contribution to our nation.
It was wonderful to see the affection our community had for him with the amazing crowds and warm welcome he received when they visited Stafford to mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Charter.
I will be writing to the Royal House to express our condolences on behalf of Stafford Borough.
Our flags will be flying at half-mast as a mark of respect.”

Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has passed away.
“Prince Philip has been a dedicated and loyal servant to the Royal family and to the country since the Queen came to the throne.
“The Prince visited Staffordshire on numerous occasions, including to mark the official opening of the flagship i54 South Staffordshire Business Park.
“We will all remember him for his hard work and of course his sense of humour, but first and foremost he was a husband, for more than 70 years, a father, grandfather and great grandfather and our thoughts are with the Queen and her family on this very sad day.”

John Henderson, Chief Executive of Staffordshire County Council, said: “I am enormously saddened to learn that Prince Philip has died; my thoughts are very much with the Queen and the Royal Family today.
“I know that His Royal Highness has visited Staffordshire on numerous occasions. I also had the privilege of meeting him in my previous role as General Officer Commanding the British Forces in Germany.
“The Duke had been Colonel in Chief of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers throughout my entire service, and I will remember his wit and ability to put soldiers at their ease. He never forgot his own military service and how to be an effective leader.
“He will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the hardest-working royals with a huge character and spirit.”

Mr Ian Dudson CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and I send my heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and all The Royal Family.
“We will remember with gratitude both the wonderful support that His Royal Highness has provided to Her Majesty as well as the important role he has personally undertaken with many organisations, notably The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme for the development of successive generations of young people.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen at this difficult time.”

Kath Perry MBE, Chairman of Staffordshire County Council, said: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
“The Duke has stood at the side of the Queen throughout her long reign and has, in many ways, played an important role in the life of our country. We will mourn his passing but will remember with gratitude his service to the Sovereign and the Nation.”

Stafford FM – There will be a break in our normal programming as we join the nation in mourning