Boris Johnson has praised the Duke of Edinburgh’s “ethic of service” as the UK’s political life was effectively shut down for a period to mark mourning for the Queen’s husband, who has died aged 99.
Leading the tributes, which included appreciations from other politicians, former prime ministers and religious leaders, Johnson said Prince Philip had “earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth and around the world”.
Noting Philip’s record of fighting in the second world war, Johnson said that from the conflict “he took an ethic of service that he applied throughout the unprecedented changes of the postwar era”.
“Like the expert carriage driver that he was, he helped to steer the royal family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.”
Johnson was to chair a meeting with ministers, police and members of the royal household on Friday afternoon to help to plan events following the royal death, with political activity, including campaigning for elections on 6 May, effectively closed down for a period.
Downing Street has ordered that all ministerial speeches, visits and other activity pause for an as-yet unknown number of mourning days. There will be no official government communications beyond urgent messages connected to Covid, and even with this there will be no No 10 press conferences.
The next stage of lockdown easing on Monday will go ahead as planned, though Johnson will not now pay a visit to a pub.
In other tributes, Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, said Philip had “provided an outstanding example of Christian service” over his life, praising his work and legacy and calling the prince “a prophetic voice for over half a century” around conservation.
Welby said: “On the occasions when I met him, I was always struck by his obvious joy at life, his inquiring mind and his ability to communicate to people from every background and walk of life. He was a master at putting people at their ease and making them feel special.”
Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York, hailed Philip’s “unstinting” support to the Queen over the decades, saying the pair’s marriage “has been a source of mutual joy, support and comfort in private moments but equally as they have both navigated a very public life together”.
All the surviving former prime ministers paid their respects – John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May. Blair said that as well as for his role supporting the Queen, Philip should “be remembered and celebrated in his own right as a man of foresight, determination and courage”.
Major said it was “impossible to exaggerate the role” Philip had played for the monarchy and the UK, calling him “the ballast to our ship of state”.
Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, who spoke to Johnson on Friday to agree a pause in campaigning, said the UK had “lost an extraordinary public servant”. He added: “Prince Philip dedicated his life to our country – from a distinguished career in the Royal Navy during the second world war to his decades of service as the Duke of Edinburgh. However, he will be remembered most of all for his extraordinary commitment and devotion to the Queen.”
Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, said on Twitter: “I send my personal and deepest condolences – and those of @scotgov and the people of Scotland – to Her Majesty the Queen and her family.”
In a statement released together, Northern Ireland’s first minister, Arlene Foster, and the deputy first minister, Michelle O’Neill, expressed their condolences. O’Neill, the vice-president of Sinn Féin, praised Philip’s “contribution to the advancement of peace and reconciliation”.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, called Philip “an extraordinary man, who devoted his life to public service and helping others”.
Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi, said he had “enjoyed immensely my personal conversations with the Duke of Edinburgh, during which I was deeply moved by his extraordinary sense of duty”.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster and most senior figure in the English Catholic church, said: “How much we will miss Prince Philip’s presence and character, so full of life and vigour. He has been an example of steadfast loyalty and duty cheerfully given. May he rest in peace.”
Zara Mohammed, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said Philip’s death “will be felt by the many generations of people who benefited from his charitable efforts and his service will be remembered by the nation”.
