George W Bush, former US president, joined world leaders in paying tribute to Prince Philip who has died today at the age of 99.
Bush said the Duke of Edinburgh had represented his country ‘with dignity’ adding that: ‘Throughout his long and remarkable life, he devoted himself to worthy causes and to others.’
‘He represented the United Kingdom with dignity and brought boundless strength and support to the sovereign,’ he said.
Meanwhile King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden praised Philip as ‘a good friend of our family [and] a friendship we have placed great value on.’
‘His contribution to his country is an example for all of us. We extend our condolences to Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Family and the people of Great Britain,’ he added.
King Harald of Norway added: ‘Our thoughts are with Queen Elizabeth and the rest of her family. We also send our condolences to the British people.’
George W Bush has joined world leaders in paying tribute to Prince Philip after his death today at the age of 99 (pictured, the pair together at the White House in 2007)
![Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden also paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, calling him 'a good friend of our family [and] a friendship we have placed great value on'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/04/09/13/41540692-9453577-image-a-35_1617969967551.jpg)
Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden also paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, calling him ‘a good friend of our family [and] a friendship we have placed great value on’
A spokesman for King Philippe of Belgium said the monarch had conveyed his private condolences to the Queen in a private message, and would release a public statement in due course.
He said he hoped to speak to Elizabeth in person as soon as it is possible.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also paid tribute, saying the duke had ’embodied a generation that we will never see again’ and added that Australia ‘joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip’.
In a statement issued from Canberra, Mr Morrison said: ‘For nearly 80 years, Prince Philip served his Crown, his country and the Commonwealth.
‘His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was, in the words of Her Majesty, her ‘strength and stay’.
‘He embodied a generation that we will never see again.
‘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.
Ireland’s foreign minister Simon Coveney tweeted: ‘I want to express sincere condolences to all British people on the sad passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
‘Our thoughts and solidarity are with you on a very sad day for the United Kingdom.’
German foreign minister Heiko Mass tweeted a statement which said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of His Royal Highness Prince Philip.
‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Royal family, the people of the Commonwealth, and all who loved him dearly.
‘He lived a long life of service to his country.’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted: ‘I am saddened to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip. I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen, the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on this very sad day.’
King Harald of Norway also offered his ‘thoughts’ for the Queen during her time of mourning and his ‘condolences’ to the British people
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has led world leaders in paying tribute to Prince Philip who died today at the age of 99
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the duke’s military career and community work in a statement issued from Delhi.
It read: ‘My thoughts are with the British people and the Royal Family on the passing away of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
‘He had a distinguished career in the military and was at the forefront of many community service initiatives. May his soul rest in peace.’
Ireland’s prime minister Micheal Martin on Friday sent his condolences to Queen Elizabeth, saying he was ‘saddened’ to hear of Prince Philip’s passing.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Queen Elizabeth and the people of the United Kingdom at this time,’ he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his ‘deepest condolences’ the the Royal family.
‘Prince Phillip was the consummate public servant and will be much missed in Israel and across the world,’ he wrote.
Malta’s prime minister, Robert Abela, said he was ‘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,’ he added.
The head of UNESCO tweeted her ‘sincere condolences’ to the royal family and the United Kingdom after Philip’s death.
‘His Royal Highness Philip was a pillar of English modern history and a strong advocate of Planet action through the Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Award. He will be missed,’ Audrey Azoulay said on Twitter.
A statement issued by Buckingham Palace at midday announced Philip’s death on behalf of the Queen, who expressed ‘deep sorrow’ at his passing – which happened ‘peacefully’ on Friday morning.
Philip – an outspoken former navy commander – had devoted much of his life as the queen’s husband to charity work but was also notorious for his many opinionated public remarks which caused humour and offence in often equal measure.
He had recently spent time in hospital, being admitted on February 16 for treatment on a pre-existing heart condition and then for an infection, before returning home a month later.
Tributes poured in from the United States, Europe and Commonwealth countries including Australia, India and New Zealand.
Condolences were also expressed by leaders in Ireland, where in 2011 the queen and Philip paid the first royal state visit for a century following generations of enmity with Britain.