Commonwealth mourns Prince Philip’s death

The Commonwealth has mourned Prince Philip with a 41-gun salute in Australia, flags at half mast in Canada and a national memorial is being planned in New Zealand.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s death at Windsor Castle was announced by Her Majesty ‘with great sorrow’ on Friday, and as Britons embarked on eight days of mourning, subjects of the Crown across the world honoured the prince.

Philip was fondly remembered in countries like Australia, Canada and New Zealand, which he visited many times with the Queen over his seven decades of service to Britain and the Commonwealth.

He famously raised eyebrows on occasion, including on a 2002 trip to Australia when he asked an Aboriginal man, ‘Do you still throw spears at each other?’ 

The Australian Federation Guard fired 41 rounds from six M2A2 45mm Howitzer ceremonial guns at 10 second intervals at Parliament House in Canberra on Saturday afternoon.

The salute, which was watched by dozens of mourners, followed the British tradition of 21 rounds for a Royal salute and an additional 20 shots when firing from a Royal park. 

In Canada, flags flew at half mast across provincial legislatures, such as in Victoria, British Columbia, where a lone piper played military dirges for the 99-year-old royal consort.

Flags were also flying at half mast in Wellington where Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has promised to honour the duke with a memorial service after his funeral next weekend.

‘We will be entirely guided by the wishes of Her Majesty,’ Ardern said. ‘It goes without saying that at this sad time. On behalf of the New Zealand people, we share our condolences with the Royal family.’ 

AUSTRALIA: A 41-gun salute is fired to commemorate the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, at Parliament House in Canberra on Saturday afternoon.

CANADA: The Canadian flag flies at half mast outside the British Columbia legislature in Victoria as piper Ken Wilson plays dirges. Wilson had the pleasure of hearing Prince Philip speak at the men's student union during a lunchtime address at Edinburgh University around 1966 where the Prince gave a talk. He remembers how easily the Prince was able to connect with students and even describes him as quite humorous

CANADA: The Canadian flag flies at half mast outside the British Columbia legislature in Victoria as piper Ken Wilson plays dirges. Wilson had the pleasure of hearing Prince Philip speak at the men’s student union during a lunchtime address at Edinburgh University around 1966 where the Prince gave a talk. He remembers how easily the Prince was able to connect with students and even describes him as quite humorous

NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand national flag flies at half-mast on top of Beehive, the parliament building of New Zealand, to show condolences over death of Britain's Prince Philip in Wellington

NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand national flag flies at half-mast on top of Beehive, the parliament building of New Zealand, to show condolences over death of Britain’s Prince Philip in Wellington

AUSTRALIA: The ceremonial howitzers manned by members of the army, navy and air force, fire their rounds in honour of the prince

AUSTRALIA: The ceremonial howitzers manned by members of the army, navy and air force, fire their rounds in honour of the prince

AUSTRALIA: People gather to watch a 41-gun salute to commemorate the death of Prince Philip

AUSTRALIA: People gather to watch a 41-gun salute to commemorate the death of Prince Philip

AUSTRALIA: Flags fly at half mast over Sydney Harbour Bridge today, high over the Opera House, as Australia paid tribute to the duke

AUSTRALIA: Flags fly at half mast over Sydney Harbour Bridge today, high over the Opera House, as Australia paid tribute to the duke 

AUSTRALIA: Flags fly at half-mast on the Harbour Bridge in Sydney on Saturday after Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in the country to honour the passing of Britain's Prince Philip

AUSTRALIA: Flags fly at half-mast on the Harbour Bridge in Sydney on Saturday after Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in the country to honour the passing of Britain’s Prince Philip

AUSTRALIA: The Australian flag flies at half mast to commemorate the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, at Parliament House in Canberra

AUSTRALIA: The Australian flag flies at half mast to commemorate the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, at Parliament House in Canberra

AUSTRALIA: A 41-gun salute is fired to commemorate the death of Prince Philip. The salute followed the British tradition of 21 rounds for a Royal salute and an additional 20 shots when firing from a Royal park.

AUSTRALIA: A 41-gun salute is fired to commemorate the death of Prince Philip. The salute followed the British tradition of 21 rounds for a Royal salute and an additional 20 shots when firing from a Royal park.

AUSTRALIA: Flowers are laid outside Government House as flags fly at half mast in Melbourne on Saturday

AUSTRALIA: Flowers are laid outside Government House as flags fly at half mast in Melbourne on Saturday

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Governor-General David Hurley will attend a church service in Sydney tomorrow to pay their respects to Philip.

Earlier on Saturday, Morrison paid homage to the duke’s life of ‘duty and of service’ and also sent his sympathies to the Queen.

‘On behalf of the Australian people and the Australian government, I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Her Majesty and the royal family to the passing of the Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh,’ Morrison said.

‘The duke’s life was one of the duty and of service, of loyalty and honour. Memories of him will, of course, tell stories of his candour, and a unique and forceful and authentic personality. But above all, he was a man who was steadfast, who could be relied upon, always standing by his Queen.’ 

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau described Philip as a ‘man of great purpose and conviction’ in a tribute posted on Twitter yesterday.

‘A man of great purpose and conviction, who was motivated by a sense of duty to others, Prince Philip contributed so much to the social fabric of our country – and the world,’ he wrote.

‘Prince Philip will be remembered as a decorated naval officer, a dedicated philanthropist, and a constant in the life of Queen Elizabeth II.’ 

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi recalled Philip for his ‘distinguished career in the military’ and work ‘at the forefront of many community service initiatives’.

‘May his soul rest in peace,’ he added.

The Duke of Edinburgh talks to Aboriginal performers after watching a culture show at Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, in 2002. He raised eyebrows during the trip by asking one of the men, 'Do you still throw spears at each other?'

The Duke of Edinburgh talks to Aboriginal performers after watching a culture show at Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, in 2002. He raised eyebrows during the trip by asking one of the men, ‘Do you still throw spears at each other?’

Prince Philip accepts flowers from the crowd at the Great Aussie Barbecue in Perth, 2011

Prince Philip accepts flowers from the crowd at the Great Aussie Barbecue in Perth, 2011

The Queen and Prince Philip during a visit to Australia in 1992

The Queen and Prince Philip during a visit to Australia in 1992

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave to crowds gathered upon their arrival at Adelaide Airport on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1992

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave to crowds gathered upon their arrival at Adelaide Airport on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1992

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh wave to the assembled crowd as they arrive at Melbourne Airport in 2006

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh wave to the assembled crowd as they arrive at Melbourne Airport in 2006

Other world leaders also offered their respects, with Irish President Michael D Higgins expressing his condolences to the Queen.

‘On behalf of the people of Ireland, I wish to convey my condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her children, her extended family and the people of the United Kingdom,’ he said in a statement.

He added: ‘For over 60 years, and as husband to Britain’s longest serving monarch, Prince Philip served the British people with an unfailing commitment and devotion to duty.’

‘In the course of his long service he frequently brought an air of informality to otherwise formal occasions.

‘His distinctive presence and unique sense of humour put participants at ease and always engaged those who encountered him.’ 

Justin Trudeau praised Philip as 'a man of great purpose and conviction' who 'always sought out the best in people and challenged them to strive for greater heights'

Justin Trudeau praised Philip as ‘a man of great purpose and conviction’ who ‘always sought out the best in people and challenged them to strive for greater heights’

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (above, signing a condolence book) has led world leaders in paying tribute to Prince Philip who died today at the age of 99

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (above, signing a condolence book) has led world leaders in paying tribute to Prince Philip who died today at the age of 99

The condolence book signed by Australian Governor-General David Hurley and Australian PM Scott Morrison at Admiralty House

The condolence book signed by Australian Governor-General David Hurley and Australian PM Scott Morrison at Admiralty House

Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to Philip's legacy in the form of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which tens of thousand of New Zealand children participate in each year

Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to Philip’s legacy in the form of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which tens of thousand of New Zealand children participate in each year

President Higgins added the Irish saying ‘Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis’, meaning may his holy soul be on the right side of God.

Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the duke would be ‘missed in Israel and across the world’.

He wrote on Twitter: ‘I express my deepest condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh.

‘Prince Philip was the consummate public servant and will be much missed in Israel and across the world.’