KeeP 106 has received statements from both Dorset Council and Dorset Police following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh:
Statement from Dorset Council:
It is with great sadness The Chairman of Dorset Council, Cllr Val Pothecary, shares news from Buckingham Palace that our much-loved Duke of Edinburgh, died today, Friday 9 April 2021 at the age of 99.
The following statement was issued by the press secretary at Buckingham Palace:
“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.
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss. Further announcements will made in due course.”
The flag was raised to full-mast earlier today before being lowered to half-mast at County Hall, Dorchester, in honour of Prince Philip, where it will remain until the day of the funeral, which will take place 10 days after his death.
People are invited to leave flowers in remembrance of the Duke at the front steps of County Hall in Dorchester.
An online book of Condolence will shortly be available from Buckingham Palace for people to show their respect. This link will be shared on the Dorset Council website and on social media as soon as it is received.
People without access to the internet wishing to leave a message in the book can call customer services at Dorset Council on 01305 221000 who will record it for them.
From Monday our libraries will reopen where people without computer access may use the council’s computers to send their own message of condolence. To comply with current COVID rules, we’re asking people to phone ahead and book a computer session.
The nation will now begin a period of mourning for 10 days before a private funeral takes place at Windsor Castle.
Cllr Val Pothecary, Chairman of Dorset Council, said:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family as we mourn the loss of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, and on behalf of Dorset Council I would like to offer them our heartfelt condolences. We give thanks for His Royal Highness’s wonderful life and years of devotion to serving the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. He has been an inspiration to us all.”
Angus Campbell, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Dorset, said: “‘It is with deep sadness that we heard of the passing of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh this morning.
“The country, and the county, are now in deep mourning in remembrance of an extraordinary man. He has dedicated 70 years of his long life to support Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second, our longest ever reigning Monarch.
“The Duke has been a remarkable pillar of strength to Her Majesty, who Herself has been an extraordinarily strong and constant foundation of love, strength and hope for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations.
“I know that all our hearts go out to Her Majesty and the other members of the Royal Family at this most difficult time. We have lost a man who has been a symbol of extraordinary support and strength for the Crown. A man who will be most terribly missed by us all, and who has given us, and our country, so very much service over so many years.”
Prince Philip’s was the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch and the oldest ever male member of the British Royal family.
He retired from his royal duties on 2 August 2017, aged 96, having completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952.
He was a patron, president, or member of over 780 organisations, and he served as chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for people aged 14 to 24.
Statement from Dorset Police:
Deputy Chief Constable Scott Chilton said: “Dorset Police is very saddened to learn of the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
“I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Prince Philip.
“We will be flying our flag at half-mast as a mark of respect at Dorset Police HQ in Winfrith and our police stations in Weymouth and Bridport.
“Memorial plans will be announced by local councils and we ask the public to follow local authority websites for further information.”
