Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, dies aged 99

[brooklynite]

Source: The Guardian

The Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen’s “strength and stay” for 73 years, has died aged 99.

Flags on landmark buildings in Britain were being lowered to half-mast as a period of mourning was announced.

Prince Philip’s health had been slowly deteriorating for some time. He announced he was stepping down from royal engagements in May 2017, joking that he could no longer stand up. He made a final official public appearance later that year during a Royal Marines parade on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

Since then, he was rarely seen in public, spending most of his time on the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk, though moving to be with her at Windsor Castle during the lockdown periods throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and where the couple quietly celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in November 2020. He also celebrated his 99th birthday in lockdown at Windsor Castle.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/09/prince-philip-duke-of-edinburgh-dies

[BumRushDaShow]

1. Just about to post

Prince Philip, Husband of Queen Elizabeth II, Is Dead at 99

By Marilyn Berger
April 9, 2021, 7:10 a.m. ET

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, father of Prince Charles and patriarch of a turbulent royal family that he sought to ensure would not be Britain’s last, died on Friday at Windsor Castle in England. He was 99.His death was announced by Buckingham Palace, which said he passed away peacefully. Philip had been hospitalized several times in recent years for various ailments, most recently in February, the palace said. The queen and Prince Philip received their first doses of the coronavirus vaccine in January.

He died just as Buckingham Palace was again in turmoil, this time over Oprah Winfrey’s explosive televised interview with Philip’s grandson Prince Harry and Harry’s biracial wife, Meghan, on March 7, when the couple, in self-imposed exile in California, lodged accusations of racism and cruelty against members of the royal family.

As “the first gentleman in the land,” Philip tried to shepherd into the 20th century a monarchy encrusted with the trappings of the 19th. But as pageantry was upstaged by scandal, as regal weddings were followed by sensational divorces, his mission, as he saw it, changed. Now it was to help preserve the crown itself.

And yet preservation — of Britain, of the throne, of centuries of tradition — had always been the mission. When this tall, handsome prince married the young crown princess, Elizabeth, (he at 26, she at 21) on Nov. 20, 1947, a battered Britain was still recovering from World War II, the sun had all but set on its empire, and the abdication of Edward VIII over his love for Wallis Simpson, a divorced American, was still reverberating a decade later.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/09/obituaries/prince-philip-dead.html

[Hekate]

2. Condolences to his family & nation...

He, like his spouse, lived through an incredible era.

[Siwsan]

3. As much as I've been anticipating this news, it's still heartbreaking

I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to lose a partner of 73 years.

I remember when I saw him during a Royal Visit to Winsor, Ontario. His ability to engage with the crowd was beyond fun to watch.

My deep and heartfelt compassion and sympathy go out to the Queen, and the rest of the Royal Family.

[PatSeg]

7. I can't imagine being married for 73 years

Losing your husband after that many years must be like losing a part of yourself. What an amazing couple.

[Siwsan]

9. I can honestly say he and the Queen have been a 'part' of my life, even before I was born

While she was waiting for my arrival, my mom spent her time watching the Royal Wedding. I used to joke that since I was hearing so much royal news, in utero, I certainly wasn't expecting to be born in Flint, Michigan.

Both of my parents were big students of history, particularly British history, so I have been hearing and reading about the Queen and Prince Philip for my entire life. I've been lucky enough to have seen them both, in England and in Canada, several times. I stood in front of Buckingham Palace and sang 'Happy Birthday' to the Queen, along with a crowd that filled the entire area surrounding the palace. Great memories.

So today I feel like a piece of my life has passed. Of course the pain isn't like when I lost my parents and siblings, but it still has me very teary eyed, this morning.

[PatSeg]

12. Yes, Elizabeth has been Queen as long as I can remember

I know the British monarchy is antiquated, but still they have done it well. When Elizabeth dies, it will be the end of an era.

[kskiska]

51. I think you mean the coronation in 1953.

The wedding was in 1947 and wasn't televised.

[Siwsan]

52. Yikes, you're right. Thanks!

It was the Coronation. I think this year of almost total self isolation is damaging my brain!!

Mom and I went to the Queen's Silver Jubilee. It was quite an experience, that's for sure. I was lucky enough to be in front of Buckingham Palace during several balcony appearances. Even sang 'Happy Birthday' to the Queen. When she was on her way to a celebratory luncheon at the Guildhall, I stood about 2 feet away from her. My mom had figured the chances of seeing her, up close, were nil so she spent that day on a coach trip to Berkeley Castle. She never found out how close I was until after I had the photos developed.

[kskiska]

54. That sure was a memorable experience.

I was about 9 and allowed to stay home from school to watch the coronation on TV. What a spectacle! I even had a ViewMaster 3-reel set of photos from the coronation.

[NurseJackie]

4. Rest in Peace... 😢

[MarianJack]

5. A true gentleman.

RIP Prince Phillip.

PEACE

[FailureToCommunicate]

6. Quite the power couple. RIP to the Duke of Edinburg.

[Glorfindel]

8. May he rest in peace.

CROSSING THE BAR
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.

His Royal Highness Prince Philip was, by all accounts, a damn good naval officer. Condolences to his family.

[dhol82]

20. Always loved that poem.

[sarge43]

10. Peaceful passage. n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

11. How do you get over the loss of someone you were with for 73 years?

[spinbaby]

15. It's terrible to be the one left behind

I don’t think you ever really get over it.

[pandr32]

30. I agree

Queen Elizabeth is remarkable in how she deals with things that hurt her--she reminds herself that she has a higher calling than herself. I have always admired her very much. She is truly one in a million.

[OnlinePoker]

24. In a lot of cases, the remaining partner passes shortly after.

She seemed in good health last week, but you never know. She will be 95 in a couple of weeks.

[bdamomma]

13. Rest in Peace Prince

short of your 100 birthday, you lived a full life.

[ALBliberal]

14. I suppose Prince Harry will return for

the service(s). Will be a media circus.

RIP Prince Phillip.

[HipChick]

16. Maybe not...no one did for Princess Margaret

[Drunken Irishman]

21. Sure but kind of different as that was his great aunt. This is his grandfather.

I'm sure her grandchildren were there.

[ALBliberal]

38. Was there a reason given for him to not be at his

Great Aunts funeral. He was in the military I believe maybe he was stationed somewhere far away.

[GoneOffShore]

29. If Meghan lets him off the leash.

[pandr32]

32. Hopefully she stays home.

[GoneOffShore]

35. Yep - Then Piers can go over and play.

[TxGuitar]

44. Yes

Why would she subject herself to the racist tabloid press.

[GoneOffShore]

45. Well, Harry's going - Wouldn't look good if he didn't. And Megs?

Staying in California.
Just as well.

[TxGuitar]

49. Uncalled for

And offensive.

[ShazzieB]

53. Yes.

Very offensive.

[StarlightGold]

17. Good ol' Phillip

Did not suffer fools. The Queen will have a hell of a time adjusting to losing her partner of 73 years, right before her 95th birthday.

[Blue_playwright]

18. Dude was a grumpy bastard but...

Freaking hard working and seemed to care a lot about the environment and kids. It’s a definite loss.

[GoneOffShore]

28. If you haven't done so, watch the video on the Guardian site

Especially the bit near the end - 'Just take the fucking picture!' Totally priceless.

[avebury]

19. RIP. He was a good partner and supporter of his wife.

Last edited Fri Apr 9, 2021, 12:52 PM - Edit history (1)

I believe that Edward will inherit the Duke of Edinburgh title now which is why he was made an Earl when he got married. I think that the intent was for the title to go to him once his Father passed away.

[SoCalNative]

23. Grandfather?

Philip was his father.

[MyMission]

22. My Canadian mother raised me to respect the crown

And I have always had an interest in the British monarchy, especially genealogy and history.

My mom was a year younger than the Queen, they were contemporaries and my mom admired her, always calling me to watch the Queen whenever she was on the TV. Phillip was instrumental in enhancing the monarchy's visibility in that arena.

I was born the same year as princess Diana, and remember watching her wedding and thinking how young we both were, how I wasn't ready to get married at 19 and how much responsibility she was taking on.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Queen, especially. She has 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren so far. They will be there for her, sharing her grief and helping her to navigate her role and her life now that she has lost her partner of 70 years. Life goes on.

Rest in peace, Prince Phillip.

[Martin68]

25. May I inquire why this is considered newsworthy? A sincere question.

[GoneOffShore]

26. Because he was an interesting man who lived a long and full life.

[efhmc]

33. Also a racist and a sexist. A few of his comments:

https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2017/8/13/the-priceless-racism-of-the-duke-of-edinburgh

[pandr32]

34. It is huge news

We are part of the world.
The U.S. follows people like the Trumps and Kardashians like they are royalty, but they are self-promoting and do little for others. Prince Philip really was royalty and worked in public service until just four years ago.

[GoneOffShore]

46. Thank you. Well said.

[twodogsbarking]

27. It's good to be King,

or married to the Queen.

[Auggie]

31. Guess "The Crown" knows its final episode

[mahatmakanejeeves]

36. Fun Prince Philip fact:

de Havilland Comet

{snip}

Operational history

Introduction

The earliest production aircraft, registered G-ALYP ( "Yoke Peter" ), first flew on 9 January 1951 and was subsequently lent to BOAC for development flying by its Comet Unit. On 22 January 1952, the fifth production aircraft, registered G-ALYS, received the first Certificate of Airworthiness awarded to a Comet, six months ahead of schedule. On 2 May 1952, as part of BOAC's route-proving trials, G-ALYP took off on the world's first jetliner flight with fare-paying passengers and inaugurated scheduled service from London to Johannesburg. The final Comet from BOAC's initial order, registered G-ALYZ, began flying in September 1952 and carried cargo along South American routes while simulating passenger schedules.


BOAC Comet 1 at Entebbe Airport, Uganda in 1952

Prince Philip returned from the Helsinki Olympic Games with G-ALYS on 4 August 1952. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were guests on a special flight of the Comet on 30 June 1953 hosted by Sir Geoffrey and Lady de Havilland. Flights on the Comet were about 50 percent faster than on advanced piston-engined aircraft such as the Douglas DC-6 (490 miles per hour (790 km/h) for the Comet compared to the DC-6's 315 miles per hour (507 km/h)), and a faster rate of climb further cut flight times. In August 1953 BOAC scheduled the nine-stop London to Tokyo flights by Comet for 36 hours, compared to 86 hours and 35 minutes on their Argonaut piston airliner. (Pan Am's DC-6B was scheduled for 46 hours 45 minutes.) The five-stop flight from London to Johannesburg was scheduled for 21 hr 20 min.

{snip}

[onetexan]

37. So this means poor Meghan &Harry w need to face the other royals &be scrutinized to death

At the funeral.

[GoneOffShore]

47. Only Harry is showing up. Megs is staying in California 'on the advice of her doctor'.

[onetexan]

48. that's good. Glad she's spared the headache & discrimination, esp'ly right now that she's carrying.

[GoneOffShore]

50. She seems to be as tough as another American who got a prince - Wallis Simpson.

[marieo1]

39. Sympathy to Queen Elizabeth and her family

I grew up watching the Queen's coronation and Prince Philip. As a kid I even made a scrapbook of them and their family. To me, the Queen was the epitome of strength and grace, I admired them greatly.

[AwakeAtLast]

40. His own House of Cards!

Complete with a sex scandal plagued president!

[hunter]

41. He takes his place in history alongside Norton the First of California...

...Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, who is fondly remembered now and a thousand years from now.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Norton

Myself, I'm a time traveler and occasional Emperor Protector of Earth. I know these fantastic things.

[Generic Brad]

42. Prince Phillip was never photographed with DMX

Then they both “coincidentally” die on the same day? And I’m still supposed to believe they were two different people?

Yeah....right!

[VarryOn]

55. I'm hoping Queen Elizabeth doesn't go down hill...

like so often happens when an advanced aged spouse passes.