WORLD LEADERS JOIN UK IN MOURNING PRINCE PHILIP

Leaders around the world joined Buckingham Palace and the entire United Kingdom in mourning the recent passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband to Queen Elizabeth II, Manori Ravindran reported for Variety magazine. He was 99.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the death of the prince, who was married to the Queen for 73 years, on Friday afternoon local time.

“It is with deep sorrow 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. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia meanwhile described Philip as "a great friend of our family for many years," adding that he was a relation they "have deeply valued." Denmark's royal family also sent condolences, noting that Philip was the great-grandson of Danish king Christian IX, who lived from 1818 to 1906, and that Philip was born a prince of Greece and Denmark.

Leaders across Britain's four home nations, countries around the world, and key religious figures have paid tribute to the prince and his life. Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, the duke and duchess of Sussex, marked the passing of Harry's grandfather, Prince Philip, with a message on their website.

"Thank you for your service ... You will be greatly missed," the pair, who has been living in the US since a rift with the royal family, wrote in the message. on their website. US President Joe Biden and former president Barack Obama also mourned the passing of the prince, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) also reported.

Condolences also poured in from international leaders around the world and the Commonwealth. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier honored Prince Philip as a person who "made an important contribution to the reconciliation of our nations after the horrors of World War II."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said "his friendship towards Germany, his straightforwardness and his sense of duty will remain unforgotten," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described Philip as a "man of great purpose and conviction, who was motivated by a sense of duty to others."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "He had a distinguished career in the military and was at the forefront of many community service initiatives. May his soul rest in peace." Other countries sending condolences included the United Arab Emirates, France, Austria, Italy, Turkey, Israel, Russia, Philippines, Poland, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Egypt, Taiwan, Norway, the Czech Republic, as well as the leaders of NATO and the United Nations.

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