Prince Phillip dies at 99

Natalie Selensky

The last significant British royal death had not occurred for a long time, ever since Princess Diana passed in 1997.

On Friday, April 9, it was reported that Prince Philip of Edinburgh passed. He leaves behind his wife, Queen Elizabeth II. He was laid to rest on Saturday, April 17 at Windsor Castle with selected guests in attendance, such as Prince Charles, Prince William and his family and other relatives and close friends. According to Deadline.com, the peak viewer count for the funeral livestream was 13 million. Many tuned in virtually, who could not attend in person this year due to COVID-19, to say goodbye to the prince. 

Prince Philip leaves his own legacy behind with his death. He was one of the first youngest lieutenants in the Royal Navy and earned many medals like the Atlantic Star and the Italy Star. The prince was also the longest-serving consort for 69 years, along with being described as the “Queen’s strength” by family members. According to Expressandstar.com, Prince Philip completed around 22,000 solo engagements during his time as a royal as well. The royal family confirmed his death in a statement.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the statement said. “The Royal Family joins with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, people are wondering how she is handling Prince Philip’s death. Prince Andrew, Duke of York, who is close to the queen, spoke for her, saying that she is handling the death well. 

“I feel very sorry and supportive of my mother, who’s feeling it, I think, probably more than everyone else,” Prince Andrew said. “The Queen, as you’d expect, is an incredibly stoic person. She described his passing as a miracle. She’s contemplating, I think is the way that I would put it. She described it as having left a huge void in her life, but we, the family, the ones that are close to her, are rallying around to make sure we are there to support her.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, made his return to the United Kingdom for the funeral. His wife, Meghan Markle, did not come along in accordance to her doctor’s recommendation due to her pregnancy. It has been about a month since Prince Harry and Markle’s  tell all interview with Oprah Winfrey where the couple revealed their tentious experience being in the royal family. He was seen speaking with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate, following the funeral even after details from the interview put the royal family in a harsh spotlight. 

Throughout Prince Philip’s life, many controversies were present. According to Insider, the prince had a history of insensitive comments towards other races, genders and countries. Worldwide, people debated with this in mind whether they should mourn, judging him on his past mistakes said in the media.

People have many opinions on him, but nonetheless, his death made an impact across the world. Access the official statement at https://www.royal.uk/announcement-death-duke-edinburgh.