London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Prince Philip: World leaders and royals send heartfelt sympathy

Prince Philip: World leaders and royals send heartfelt sympathy

Monarchs, heads of state and PMs across the world, both past and present, have been sending heartfelt tributes following the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the age of 99.

Spain's king and queen telegrammed "Dear Aunt Lilibet" to mourn the passing of "Dear Uncle Philip".

Along with tributes from Europe's royal households, many Commonwealth nations praised his exceptional public service.

They paid tribute to a life of duty, purpose, and devotion to the Queen.

US President Joe Biden also sent condolences, hailing the duke's World War Two service, his environmental activities and charitable concerns, adding: "He was a heck of a guy... 99 years old, he never slowed down at all."

Donald Trump, Barack Obama and George W Bush also sent touching tributes.

The duke, whose death was announced by Buckingham Palace on Friday, accompanied the Queen during hundreds of overseas visits.

Barack Obama said Philip was a "remarkable man... who helped provide steady leadership and guiding wisdom"
'Cherish the memories'


Prince Philip had blood ties with a number of former or current European royal households, and many of their members have been sending condolences.

The telegram from King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain was particularly poignant, sending "all our love and affection" to Aunt Lilibet (the affectionate name used by the duke for his wife) and Dear Uncle Philip.

"We shall never forget the moments that we shared with him and the legacy of service and dedication to the Crown and the United Kingdom by your side," they told the Queen.

Sweden's King Carl Gustaf was also moved, saying the duke had been "a great friend of our family for many years, a relation we have deeply valued".

Swedish royal family spokeswoman Margareta Thorgren told the BBC the king and the duke had sailed together in England, adding: "That was the start of a great friendship between them."

The Dutch royal family said they remembered Prince Philip with great respect, adding: "He dedicated his long life to the service of the British people and to his many duties and responsibilities. His lively personality made an indelible impression."

Belgium's King Philippe said he and Queen Mathilde would "always cherish the memories of our warm encounters".

'A pillar for the Queen'


Tributes came in too from the Commonwealth - 54 nations, most with roots in the British Empire and home to 2.4 billion people.

Australian PM Scott Morrison said in a statement: "He embodied a generation that we will never see again."

He praised the duke as the patron of dozens of organisations in Australia.

Philip and the Queen in New Zealand in 1977. Many of the warmest tributes were from the Commonwealth

The praise from New Zealand's PM Jacinda Ardern was similar, saying that "thousands of young people have completed life-changing challenges" through the duke's Hillary Award.

Canada's PM Justin Trudeau said the duke had "contributed so much to the social fabric of our country - and the world".

He added: "Prince Philip was a man of great purpose and conviction, who was motivated by a sense of duty to others. We will fondly remember him as a pillar in the life of our Queen."

Pakistan's PM Imran Khan said Philip had been a "wise leader" and his "role in promoting Pakistan-UK relations will always be remembered".

And Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was another to praise a lifetime of dedication to "many community service initiatives".

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said the duke was a "towering symbol of family values and the unity of the British people as well as the entire global community" - a man who had worked for the "peaceful co-existence of the human race".

Other warm condolences from Africa included Zimbabwe - which has had a rocky relationship with the UK and is no longer in the Commonwealth - and the president of Tanzania, which only recently lost its leader John Pombe Magufuli amid Covid-19 rumours.

'Long and remarkable life'


Other tributes came from nations deeply linked to the duke and his family.

Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela wrote: "Truly saddened by the loss of Prince Philip, who made Malta his home and returned here so often. Our people will always treasure his memory."

Philip and Elizabeth spent two idyllic years on Malta, where he was stationed in the Navy, before King George VI died in 1952.

The Duke of Edinburgh with his mother Princess Alice Of Battenberg

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu said the duke was "the consummate public servant and will be much missed in Israel and across the world".

The duke's mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, who died in 1969, is buried at the Church of Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem.

In a personal tribute, Barack Obama, one of the 18 US presidents in the duke's lifetime, said Philip had immediately put him and Michelle at ease, and that he was "kind and warm, with a sharp wit and unfailing good humour... we will miss him dearly".

Donald Trump said Prince Philip "defined British dignity and grace. He personified the quiet reserve, stern fortitude and unbending integrity of the United Kingdom... He will be greatly missed".

In a telegram to the Queen, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the duke had "rightfully enjoyed respect" both at home and internationally.

And Chancellor Angela Merkel said the duke's "friendship with Germany, his straightforward nature and his sense of duty will remain unforgotten".

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian summed up many of the tributes - calling the duke a man of "great style".

"France joins in the sorrow of its friends across the Channel and salutes the life, at once European and British, of a man who was a witness to a century of trials and hopes for our continent."

President Emmanuel Macron said the duke had led an "exemplary life".


"He was a heck of a guy" US President Joe Biden pays tribute to Prince Philip


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×