Suffolk pays tribute to Prince Philip
His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle
People across Suffolk are paying their respects to the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who has died aged 99.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces 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.
"Further announcements will made in due course.
"The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."
The MP for Ipswich said the entire country is now in mourning, and his thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen.
Tom Hunt said:
"It's incredibly sad news for the Queen and for the Royal Family, but also for the country as a whole. I know that Prince Philip was held in very high regard for many of my constituents. The reason for that is they recognise the role that he has played since before he married the Queen, in terms of his military service.
"He has been a rock for the Queen throughout the time he has been married to her. Often there has been some tough and pretty turbulent times where the Queen has been remarkable and he's been part of that. He has provided her with that priceless support.
"A lifetime of service to our country and I would like to pass on my condolences to the Royal Family. As a country I think we're all grieving at the moment."
As a sign of respect East Suffolk Council will be flying the flags at its offices at half mast from today (9 April).
Chairman of the authority, Councillor Keith Robinson, said:
"On behalf of East Suffolk Council, our residents and communities, I would like to express our deep sadness following the passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts at this sad time are with Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family.
"We will of course ensure that the people of East Suffolk are provided with the information they need to pay their respects to the Duke of Edinburgh and his life of service to the country and to the world."
Councillor Kathryn Grandon, Babergh District Council Chairman, said:
"We send our sincere condolences to The Queen and the entire Royal Family during this sad time with our deepest sympathies. The Duke of Edinburgh visits to the district have always been received warmly with great affection, there will be a real sense of loss. This is a time for the nation to come together."
Chairman of Mid Suffolk District council, Councillor Barry Humphreys MBE, added:
"I know the loss of His Royal Highness Prince Philip will be felt across Suffolk and the world. Their visits to the district have always been occasions that have brought great pride to our communities. I know the people of Suffolk will want to pay their own personal tributes at this time of national mourning."
Suffolk Constabulary's Chief Constable, Steve Jupp, is one of many people who are "deeply saddened" by the news, he said:
"His lifetime of public duty and steadfast dedication to Her Majesty and the entire country - from his career with the Royal Navy during and after World War Two, right up until his retirement in 2017 - is an example to all of us who work in public service.
"On behalf of Suffolk Constabulary, I would like to join with our policing colleagues across the United Kingdom by extending our sincere sympathy and condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and the entire Royal Family."
Suffolk County Council's Chairman, Councillor Graham Newman, said:
"The loss of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh will be felt right across the globe for some time to come.
"I know the people of Suffolk will want to pay their own personal tributes to someone who has been a part of this great country’s fabric for so many years. Therefore, an online book of condolences has been opened on the county council’s website. As a mark of respect for The Duke of Edinburgh, flags on all council buildings are being flown at half mast."
The online book of condolences can be signed here.
Prince Philip was born in 1921
Prince Philip of Greece was born 10 June 1921 in Corfu to Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg.
Prince Philip attended school in Scotland
The Prince was one of the first pupils at Gordonstoun boarding school in Moray, Scotland, attending from 1933-1939. He was the first of three generations of royals to attend the school, with Prince Charles boarding in the 1960s, and Princess Anne's children enrolling in the 1990s.
The engagement of Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth
Prince Philip's engagement to Princess Elizabeth was announced on 9 July 1946, after he asked permission from her father, King George VI. In order to marry into the British Royal family, Prince Philip became a British citizen, and renounced his Greek title in favour of Mountbatten, the anglicised version of his mother's name. He also agreed not to invite his sisters to the wedding, as they were all married to Germans and tensions were still high following the war.
The Royal Wedding
Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 in Westminster Abbey. He received new titles, including the Duke of Edinburgh, for which he is best known, and his Royal Highness. It is estimated around 200 million people tuned into the BBC radio broadcast of the wedding.
First time father
In 1948, Prince Philip became a father for the first time when Princess Elizabeth gave birth to Prince Charles. Princess Anne was born two years later.
Consort to the monarch
King George VI died 6 February 1952, making his oldest daughter Princess Elizabeth, Queen. This made the Duke of Edinburgh consort to Queen Elizabeth II. The coronation took place on 2 June 1953 and was an important feature in making television a mainstream medium, with over 20 million people tuning in to watch.
The Duke of Edinburgh award
In 1956, Prince Philip launched the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, which aims to prepare young people for adult life by developing essential skills, confidence and resilience. Today, hundreds of thousands of young people complete the award every year across 144 nations.
Meeting JFK
In 1961, a banquet was held at Buckingham Palace in honour of American President John F Kennedy. This was the President's last visit to Buckingham Palace before he was assassinated two years later. Prince Philip attended his funeral.
A family of six
In 1960 Prince Andrew was born, followed by Prince Edward in 1964. This completed the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's immediate family.
Royal Family documentary
In 1969, a television documentary entitled 'Royal Family' aired to an audience of over 30 million in the UK, before being sold worldwide, achieving over 350 million views. However, the Queen had the documentary banned and it has not been shown on TV in the UK since 1977. The documentary offered insight into the lives of the Queen and her family in an attempt to revive public interest in the Royals.
The wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer
Prince Philip's oldest son, Prince Charles, married 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer on 29 July 1981. Almost 1 billion viewers tuned in across 74 countries to watch the ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral. The wedding was considered hugely important because whoever Prince Charles married would one day become Queen.
Diana, Princess of Wales' funeral
The world was shook when Diana, Princess of Wales died suddenly in a car accident in August 1997. Hundreds of thousands of well wishers lined the streets on the day of her funeral, which saw Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Diana's brother accompany Princes William and Harry in walking behind the funeral car.
Diamond wedding anniversary
In 2007, the Queen and Prince Philip celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary- 60 years of marriage! They have since made it to their platinum anniversary, celebrating in 2017.
A family man
Prince Philip has eight grandchildren, including heir to the throne Prince William. He also has nine great-grandchildren and counting, with two more on the way in 2021.
Tipping his hat to a lifetime of service
At the age of 96, Prince Philip carried out his final solo public engagement in August 2017, before tipping his hat in acknowledgement of a lifetime of service.
Prince Philip dies aged 99
Prince Philip passed away at the age of 99 on the 9th April 2021. The Duke's funeral took place on 17 April 2021 in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.