Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband, dies

Prince Philip, the lifelong companion of Queen Elizabeth II and the longest-serving consort in British history, died at Windsor Castle on Friday morning. He was 99.

We’re wrapping up our live coverage, but if you’re looking for more on Philip’s life, you can…

US President Joe Biden expressed condolences on the death of Prince Philip telling reporters the late royal was “a heck of a guy.”

Biden, speaking from the Oval Office, praised Philip for “his lifetime of service to the United Kingdom and the whole commonwealth,” adding “we really do express our condolences for extraordinary life that was led by the Prince, and I think he’s going to be missed, particularly in the United Kingdom.”

“99 years old,” Biden added, “he never slowed down at all, which I admire the devil out of.”

Charles, the Prince of Wales, visited his mother the Queen on Friday afternoon traveling from his Gloucestershire home to Windsor Castle, a royal source told CNN.

The source also said the Prince of Wales had been in constant contact with his father since his hospitalization in February.

US Vice President Kamala Harris just released a statement on the death of Prince Philip.

“His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, led a long, remarkable life—the hallmarks of which were loyalty and service,” Harris said.

Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff also sent their condolences.

Britain’s Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has died at the age of 99. It is unclear what kind of funeral events will be able to take place given the UK’s current coronavirus restrictions.

CNN reporter Anna Stewart was live in London outside Buckingham Palace and answered viewers’ questions.

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Saluting batteries will fire 41 rounds at one round per minute across the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and on British navy ships at sea on noon on Saturday, to mark the death of Britain’s Prince Philip, the British Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Friday.

“The same guns used in Woolwich Barracks today were also fired for Prince Philip’s wedding to Her Majesty in 1947 and at Her Majesty’s coronation six years later in 1953,” the statement added. 

Addressing the Duke of Edinburgh’s passing, the British Secretary of Defense, Ben Wallace, remembered Prince Philip as a “constant supporter and ambassador of the Armed Forces.”

“We celebrate his life of service and offer our condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family,” Wallace added, according to the statement.

Here’s a list of locations where the gun salutes will be fired starting noon (7 a.m. ET) on Saturday:

People around the world have been sharing their memories of Prince Philip, following his death at the age of 99 on Friday. 

CNN’s Hong Kong Bureau Chief, Roger Clark, recalls meeting the Prince twice, once at a reception at Windsor Castle, and a second time in what he says was “much more of an unusual occurrence.”

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award charity (DofE) released a statement acknowledging the death of their founder, Prince Philip.

“Sixty-five years ago, HRH Prince Philip established The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The DofE has become one of The Duke’s most remarkable achievements and is woven into the fabric of the UK, equipping and empowering young people from all communities to build the skills, confidence, and resilience they need to make the most out of life and make a difference to the world around them,” the statement said.

“Whilst the charity mourns the loss of its founder, it celebrates His Royal Highness’ incredible legacy,” it continued.

Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said:

“The Duke’s timeless vision for young people has never been more relevant or needed. The DofE has played a crucial role in supporting young people to survive and thrive despite the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, and we will continue to build on his legacy.”

In the UK alone, 6.7 million young people have benefitted from taking on the personal challenge of a DofE Award so far, the statement said.

The charity is calling for anyone involved in the DofE over the decades – including alumni and volunteers – to get in touch and share their DofE stories and memories at DofE.org.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reacted to the news of the death of Prince Philip Friday by posting a message on the website of their charitable organization, Archewell.

Set on a full-screen dark background, the message reads: “In loving memory of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, 1921-2021. Thank you for your service… you will be greatly missed.” 

Commonwealth leaders have led global tributes to Prince Philip, as presidents, prime ministers and politicians around the world offer their condolences.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remembered Prince Philip as a man of “great service to others,” in a statement, adding that he was “the patron of more than forty organizations in Canada, including the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted that Prince Philip was “no stranger” to the country, having visited on more than 20 occasions, adding that he had strong connections to many Australian organizations and the Australian Defence Force.

“Australians send our love and deepest condolences to Her Majesty and all the Royal family. The Commonwealth family joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip. God bless from all here in Australia,” he tweeted.

Other world leaders have also paid their respects, including Russian President Vladamir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who both offered their sympathies to Queen Elizabeth.

Former US President George W. Bush and his wife, former First Lady Laura Bush, recalled Prince Philip’s “dignity,” “boundless strength,” “charm” and “wit.” They said he would be missed.

Former US President Barack Obama also paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, tweeting that Prince Philip “proved that true partnership has room for both ambition and selflessness — all in service of something greater.”

Prince Philip was born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark on the Greek island of Corfu on June 10, 1921.

He left Greece aged 18 months with his family when King Constantine was forced to abdicate after a revolt by Greece’s war-stretched military forces.

The family moved first to Paris and later, in 1928, to England. He had an itinerant childhood, educated variously in the UK, France, and Germany.

At the news of Prince Philip’s passing, World Wildlife Fund International’s Director General Marco Lambertini said “it’s a very sad day” for the organization because of the Duke of Edinburgh’s role in its formation.

Beyond the organization, Prince Philip “played a role, broadly speaking, in shaping the thinking of the conservation movement at the time. He was definitely, personally, deeply and genuinely passionate about nature. And also, he was also a tireless champion for the environment … He was a true visionary.”

The Duke also passed on his passion for nature to his children and grandchildren, Lambertini said.

“This is a passion that Prince Philip, a commitment, that never really faded,” he added. “I heard … he was always there for his family, his wife, the Queen. Well, he’s been always there for the environment too.”

An online book of condolence has been launched on the Royal Family’s official website, allowing the public to leave messages of sympathy following the death of Prince Philip.

The family has asked members of the public to “consider making a donation to a charity instead of leaving floral tributes in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh.”

“With the safety and wellbeing of the public in mind, and in accordance with Government guidelines, members of the public are asked not to gather in crowds,” it added. “Those wishing to express their condolences are asked to do so in the safest way possible, and not to gather at Royal Residences.”

When Elizabeth of York first encountered Prince Philip, she was not intended to be queen. She was seven years old and serving as a bridesmaid to her aunt, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, at her wedding to the Duke of Kent at Westminster Abbey, while 12-year-old Philip was attending as the bride’s first cousin.

The children barely spoke – but foreign newspapers had already listed Prince Philip as a suitably royal husband for the little Princess, as her third cousin through Queen Victoria.

The royal family arrive at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in 1939. Left to right are Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI and Princess Elizabeth. The young Princess Elizabeth would be dazzled by the young naval cadet on this visit. 

When they met again five years later, in 1939, everything had changed. Elizabeth’s uncle, Edward VIII, had abdicated three years earlier. Her father was now King and she was the heir to the throne. Philip was an 18-year-old naval cadet. And Europe was on the brink of cataclysmic conflict and change, with World War II about to begin.

“How high he can jump!” Elizabeth said to her governess, Marion Crawford, in July 1939 when she saw Philip leaping over the tennis nets at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.

Elizabeth had led a very sheltered life with her family, spending most of her time with her sister and governess. Touring the college with her parents and sister, she was dazzled by the star cadet, who would soon be off on active service.

Elizabeth’s fascination was obvious to all and was most gratifying to Philip’s uncle, Dickie Mountbatten, who was hopeful of encouraging a marriage – with himself as the power behind the throne.

During the war, Philip wrote to Elizabeth and came to stay at Christmas in 1943. Elizabeth was 17 and a young woman. Philip found her very appealing. She was not only attractive and witty, but she was cheerful and practical, very unlike his own fragile mother.

At the end of the war, Philip came to court Elizabeth with serious intent and took her out to concerts and restaurants or dined in the nursery with Princess Margaret.

The Palace was dubious about the match. The King and Queen wished her to “see more of the world” before marrying, and courtiers discussed how Philip was “no gentleman,” “ill tempered” and possibly fickle – he signed visitors’ books as of “no fixed abode.”

But Elizabeth refused to be swayed. She had been determined on Philip since the age of 13 and war had only intensified the romance. The King gave in and the engagement was announced on July 8, 1947, with the wedding date fixed for November 20.

Elizabeth and Philip make their way down the aisle of Westminster Abbey on their wedding day, November 20, 1947. 

Read the full love story here.

Prince Philip was “an enormous support for the Queen to bring the monarchy into the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st century as well,” Charles Anson, a former Press Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, told CNN.

The Duke of Edinburgh was “constantly a man open to new ideas and themes,” he said.

Anson, who worked for the Queen in the 1990s, said Philip was “committed to supporting the Queen on every occasion, whether it’s a happy one or a more difficult task with members of the family or a sad occasion.”

The Prince also pursued his own professional life in support of the monarchy through wide-ranging public duties, Anson explained, adding that he was a man of action and ideas.

“He also liked to see those ideas translated into action to make a better society,” he said. “His goal was to make a better world.”

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US President Joe Biden and his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, have offered their condolences to the Queen, the royal family and the United Kingdom, saying they were keeping the Queen and Prince Philip’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren “in our hearts during this time.”

A similar message was posted on the US President’s official Twitter feed:

Funeral arrangements for The Duke of Edinburgh are expected to be confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Saturday, April 10, according to a royal source.

CNN understands that plans for royal funerals have been in place for many years, but the ceremonial elements have had to be altered due to current COVID restrictions in the UK. 

Earlier on Friday, the College of Arms confirmed that Prince Philip’s funeral will be held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, “in line with custom and with His Royal Highness’s wishes.”

The College of Arms, which oversees many ceremonial aspects of the royal family’s work, said the ceremony would not be a state funeral and would not be preceded by a lying-in-state, which could have seen thousands of members of the public lining up to view Prince Philip’s coffin.

The funeral arrangements have been revised, because of the coronavirus pandemic, it added.   

A sign announcing Prince Philip's death is placed on the gates of Buckingham Palace in London.

A young boy places flowers on the gate at Buckingham Palace in London.

Players in the English Premier League will wear black armbands, and “there will be a minute’s silence before kick-off at all Premier League matches … across the weekend,” to mark the death of Prince Philip, the organization has announced.

The Premier League is just one of many UK sports governing bodies and clubs paying tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh on social media on Friday.

British Olympic Association (BOA) chair Sir Hugh Robertson offered his “sincere condolences” to the Queen and the royal family.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award acknowledged the passing of its founder and patron:

Liverpool Football Club announced that it will fly its flags at half-mast as a mark of respect.

The Welsh Rugby Union tweeted that Prince Philip’s legacy of public service was “a lasting one.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board tweeted: “We owe him a great debt for his support and passion over many decades.”

David Cameron said in a statement:

Tony Blair said in a statement:

Sir John Major said in a statement:

While primarily known for his marriage to the Queen, Prince Philip was an extraordinary figure in his own right. He was born into the turmoil of inter-war Europe and became a naval officer, who was decorated for heroism in World War II.

Philip’s life was dramatic from the outset. The nephew of Greece’s King Constantine I, the Prince of Greece and Denmark was born in 1921 on the dining room table of a villa on the Greek island of Corfu.

He was forced into exile just 18 months later, when the Greek monarchy was overthrown by a military revolt. His family’s experience shaped Philip’s later desire to modernize the British royal family, in the hope that they would seem more relevant to the Queen’s subjects.

Prince Philip is dressed for a production of "Macbeth" while attending school in Scotland in July 1935.

Prince Philip sits with his fiancee, Princess Elizabeth, in July 1947. He had become a naturalized British citizen and a commoner, using the surname Mountbatten, an English translation of his mother's maiden name. He was also an officer in the British Royal Navy and fought in World War II.

Philip and Elizabeth hold their children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, in August 1951.

See more photos of Prince Philip’s life:

HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, wearing his military dress uniform, circa 1990. (Photo by Terry O'Neill/Iconic Images/Getty Images)

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Related gallery Prince Philip: Decades in public life