The Harrogate district paid tribute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died at the age of 99 today.
Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Philip passed away this morning at Windsor Castle.
The Palace said it was with “deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip”.
Politicians, organisations and the Dean of Ripon Cathedral paid their respects to the Duke of Edinburgh this afternoon.
You can find full coverage of the tributes from across the district below:
Ashville College pays tribute to Duke of Edinburgh
Ashville College has said it will continue to encourage its pupils to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh awards.
Prince Philip founded the awards, which aim to empower young people to learn new skills, in 1956.
The college said it has supported its pupils taking part in the programme for many years and will continue to do so.
A statement from Ashville College said:
“We are very sorry to hear the sad news of the passing of Prince Philip today. Ashville College has supported pupils to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) programme for many years, with 100 pupils achieving their Bronze or Gold Award in the past five years alone.
“The DofE has provided these young people with opportunities to take part in a range of enriching activities that help them to broaden their horizons and develop skills that are transferable for their future careers. We will continue to encourage our pupils to take part in this prestigious award in the years to come.”
RHS Garden Harlow Carr shuts as a mark of respect
RHS Garden Harlow Carr will be closed for the rest of the day.
In a post on its Facebook page, the RHS said it took the decision out of a “mark of a respect”.
It said:
“As a mark of respect and due to our great sorrow and deep regret of the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, RHS Garden Harlow Carr will be closed for the rest of today.”
Flag flown at half-mast at Harrogate Civic Centre
Harrogate Borough Council flies flag at half-mast.
Harrogate Borough Council is flying its flag at the Civic Centre at half-mast as a mark of respect following the death of Prince Philip.
In a tweet, the borough council said:
On behalf of all at Harrogate Borough Council, we offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family after hearing of the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The Union Flag at the civic centre is being flown at half-mast as a mark of respect. https://t.co/8gzTV9P8kD
— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) April 9, 2021
Mayor of Harrogate Borough offers ‘deepest condolences’ to Royal Family
The Queen and Prince Philip pictured in Ripon.
The Mayor of Harrogate Borough has offered his “deepest condolences” to the Queen and the Royal Family after the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Cllr Stuart Martin MBE said it was with “enormous sadness” to learn of the death of Prince Philip.
He said:
“It is with enormous sadness to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“On behalf of myself and the Mayoress, our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy go to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family during this time.”
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue offers thoughts and prayers
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has offered its condolences to the Royal Family.
In a tweet, the service said it was “saddened to hear” of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
It said:
We are saddened to hear of the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts and condolences are with the Royal family at this sad time. https://t.co/fjnjEc3cSN
— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) April 9, 2021
Dean of Ripon Cathedral ‘prays for comfort and strength’ for the Royal Family
Dean John, Ripon Cathedral.
The Dean of Ripon Cathedral has said his thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family after the passing of Prince Philip.
Dean John said “it was with great sadness” that the cathedral learned of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
He added that Prince Philip showed “great courage” in his early years, which shaped him “for a life of distinguished service”.
Dean John said:
“We reflect on his extraordinary life, of the great courage he showed in his early years, years that shaped him for a life of distinguished service as consort to Her Majesty the Queen. His contribution to the life of this nation, the Commonwealth and the world community is without question. We remember particularly his care for the natural world, the World Wildlife Fund, and think of the inordinate number of people who have benefitted from the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
“Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with Her Majesty the Queen and her family. We pray for comfort and strength for them.
“In this Easter week, we Remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is with hope and confidence that we pray for the soul of Prince Philip, commending him to God’s safe and sure keeping.”
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP has called today ‘a sad time for our nation’
Andrew Jones MP has released this statement:
“The passing of the Duke of Edinburgh is a sad time for our nation.
“Prince Philip had a life-long record of public service to The Queen, to our country and to the many organisations he supported. It is a record that is second-to-none and my thoughts are with Her Majesty, the Royal Family and Prince Philip’s many friends at this time.
“Prince Philip’s role as consort to The Queen is his best-known contribution to our nation’s life but there was much more to this exceptional man. He was part of a generation which suffered the privations and dangers of war as a serving officer in the Royal Navy, where he was commended for his bravery in action.
“He was an active member, patron or President of around 780 organisations and founded the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme helping young people move forward in their lives and careers. That scheme alone made a difference to the lives of millions.
“His environmental work over many decades, his championing of conservation of the natural world, helped change worldwide opinion.
“But while celebrating his record of service we should remember that he was a family man. As we mourn the passing of an outstanding national figure his family mourn the passing of so much more; a husband of 73 years, a companion, a mentor to generations, a source of support to his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“It is right at this moment of national mourning that election campaign is suspended and I have asked that local campaigning by the Conservative Party for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elections and the Bilton and Nidd Gorge county council by election be suspended.
I know that other parties will want to join in observing this suspension too as a mark of respect for this formidable, long-serving, brilliant public servant.”
North Yorkshire Police has posted a tribute offering its condolences to Her Majesty The Queen
We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. There is a sombre mood across the force today as our thoughts and condolences are with HM The Queen and the Royal Family at this very sad time. https://t.co/wuMov0GzWC pic.twitter.com/QR6jhjptk0
— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) April 9, 2021
The flag is flying at half-mast at County Hall
North Yorkshire County Hall in Northallerton has lowered its flag to fly at half-mast following the Prince’s passing.
Lord Harewood said he was “greatly saddened” to hear of the Duke of Edinburgh’s passing:
David Lascelles, Earl of Harewood, said:
“All of us here at Harewood are greatly saddened to hear of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. Patron and President of hundreds of organisations, he has championed and raised the profile of so many good causes.
“Harewood Staff, members, our visitors and residents across Leeds will remember with great warmth his visit to Harewood in 2002 on the occasion of The Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
“The flag at Harewood House will fly at half-mast and our deepest sympathies are conveyed to Her Majesty The Queen and the rest of the Royal Family at this sad time.”
The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire has said:
“His Royal Highness was a hugely charismatic man, who was much loved and respected by so many.
“Prince Philip carried out over 22,000 solo engagements since 1952, including many in North Yorkshire, as well as accompanying Her Majesty The Queen at many other events. They were both at the 150th birthday celebrations of The Great Yorkshire Show in 2008. The Duke was also a great supporter of military events across our region.
“He will be fondly remembered by so many, both here and across the Commonwealth. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme will be his legacy, touching over 6 million young adults and continuing under the auspices of HRH The Earl of Wessex.”
“His unwavering support for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II throughout Her Reign will always be remembered.
“On behalf of the people throughout the Lieutenancy of North Yorkshire I have conveyed to Her Majesty the Queen our deep condolences and great sympathy for the great loss She and her family have sustained.”
Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats has also said campaigning will stop
The local Lib Dems retweeted an article by the BBC and added their own comment which said:
“Prince Philip dedicated his life to our country. Our thoughts are with The Queen and the whole Royal Family at this difficult time.
“We are immediately suspending our local and national campaigning as a mark of respect.”
Prince Philip dedicated his life to our country. Our thoughts are with The Queen and the whole Royal Family at this difficult time.
We are immediately suspending our local and national campaigning as a mark of respect.https://t.co/UhpIfxWjxL
— Harrogate & Knaresborough Liberal Democrats (@HKLibDems) April 9, 2021
Yorkshire Party has said it will stop it campaigning today
On Twitter it said:
“It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Prince Philip – the entire team here at the Yorkshire Party send our commiserations to her Majesty and their family at this time.
“As a mark of respect, the Yorkshire Party will halt campaigning today.”
It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Prince Philip – the entire team here at the Yorkshire Party send our commiserations to her Majesty and their family at this time.
— Yorkshire Party (@Yorkshire_Party) April 9, 2021
Local MP, Nigel Adams, posted on Twitter:
“We mourn and give thanks for the life of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He has been an incredible support to Her Majesty as her consort & will also be remembered for his lifetime of service for our Country & Commonwealth.
May He Rest In Peace.”
We mourn and give thanks for the life of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
He has been an incredible support to Her Majesty as her consort & will also be remembered for his lifetime of service for our Country & Commonwealth.
May He Rest In Peace. https://t.co/M5HP0FEYOw— Nigel Adams (@nadams) April 9, 2021
