Evening summary
We’re closing up this blog now, but you can read up on all the latest news around the funeral plans for Prince Philip on our website.
Philip’s coffin will be borne on a specially modified Land Rover, which was always his special request, as he played some part in the design of the vehicles many years ago.
It will be flanked by pall bearers drawn from the Royal Marines. The Prince of Wales and other members of the royal family will take part in the procession on foot, immediately behind his coffin. The Duke of Edinburgh’s insignia, the medals and decorations conferred on him by the UK and Commonwealth countries, together with his Field Marshal’s baton, and Royal Air Force wings, and his insignia from Denmark and Greece will be positioned on cushions on the altar.
Here is a timeline of the day:
14.40 Coffin at state entrance, Windsor Castle.
14.45 Processions steps off.
14.53 Land Rover reaches the west steps of St George’s Chapel.
15.00 National minute’s silence, the coffin enters the chapel.
The Duke of Edinburgh lies at rest in the chapel at Windsor Castle. There will be no lying-in-state, which accords with his wishes, according to Buckingham Palace.
On Saturday 17 April, the coffin will be moved in a small ceremonial procession from the state entrance of Windsor Castle to St George’s Chapel for the service.
Restrictions mean the congregation will be a maximum of 30 mourners, including the Queen, members of the royal family, and the duke’s private secretary. The number excludes the bearer party and clergy.
A palace spokesman said:
Although the ceremonial arrangements are reduced, the occasion will still celebrate and recognise the duke’s life and his more than 70 years of service to the Queen, the UK and the Commonwealth.
Read the full story here:
Buckingham Palace announces the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral plans
The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral will be held on Saturday and will be confined entirely to Windsor Castle following a short ceremonial procession within the castle’s grounds, Buckingham Palace has said.
The Queen, his children and his grandchildren will attend. The Duke of Sussex has confirmed he will travel from California for the service, though the Duchess of Sussex, who is pregnant, has been advised against travel by her physician.
The funeral plans, much reduced in scale due to the pandemic to comply with current government public health guidelines, have been given final approval by the Queen and reflect current government advice, the palace said.
There will be no public access, though the service and short procession will be televised. The royal family has request the public do not visit Windsor to pay their respects.
A palace spokesman said:
Despite these necessary changes they [the plans] still very much reflect the personal wishes of the Duke of Edinburgh.
It will be a ceremonial royal funeral , as was the Queen Mother’s, and as befits his senior royal status.
The service, at St George’s Chapel, will commence at 3pm. It will begin with a national one minutes silence.
Bianca and Dmitry Richie, who have recently moved to London from the US, were among those paying tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh at the palace on Saturday morning.
The couple said they had both been “very saddened” to hear the news of Prince Philip’s death.
Dmitry, 34, who works in stock trading, said he rang his wife as soon as he heard the announcement. “It’s very unfortunate, he almost lived to 100 years – we are heartbroken,” he said, adding that they were “very proud to be here”.
Bianca, 33, who also works as a stock trader, said she is a “big supporter of the royal family and especially the Queen”.
“We were all hoping to see him celebrating his hundredth birthday and I feel very sad for the Queen right now,” she said.
Elsewhere, Audrey O’Shea, from east London, came to “pay her respects to the whole family” with her daughter and two young grandchildren.
“He was a colourful character and he’ll be sadly, sadly missed,” the 68-year-old said. “He was a true man. My thoughts are with the family.”
She said she felt that there would be “lots more people here if not for Covid”, adding that they were just there to pay their respects and then “let the family get on with what they’ve got to get on with”.
After laying a bunch of flowers outside the Queen’s London residence, Victoria, 24, described Prince Philip’s death as a “very sad and unfortunate thing to have happened”.
Victoria, who is originally from Poland and lives in London, said he was a “man of importance”, adding that she would be observing the days of mourning over the next few days.
As well as a police presence, chaplains from the Billy Graham rapid response team were on hand as people gathered in mourning.
Nikoletta Peto, 39, who is originally from Hungary, said: “I have lived here for 15 years and I felt like it’s important to give a flower to someone who is so respected and who has done so much for this country.
“So definitely I wanted to come, even though because of Covid I was shielding for over a year. I felt like I have to do it because I think it is how it should be.”
Read the full report here:
Updated
A long queue of wellwishers wanting to leave flowers at Buckingham Palace has formed.
People are also leaving flowers and tributes at other sites including Windsor Castle, Sandringham and Balmoral.
The line outside Buckingham Palace snakes along the front of the palace gates towards Green Park, before turning to follow the edge of the Victoria Memorial.
The public are being allowed to approach the palace gates one by one to lay their tributes, in an effort to reduce the size of the crowd amid coronavirus restrictions.
Updated
Coming together for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral could help heal any tensions between the royal family and the Duke of Sussex, a religious leader has said.
Harry is likely to fly in from his California home to attend his grandfather’s funeral, but it is not known if he will be joined by the Duchess of Sussex as she is pregnant.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic church in England and Wales, told Times Radio:
I think there might be a bit of consolation in it for the royal family actually because it just gives them a chance to be close and to have a comparative bit of privacy.
Obviously the whole ceremony will be watched by everybody but you think of the complexities of the dynamics in that family and we have to think of Harry, so far away. I’m sure he’ll come but not being, the whole time, in the public eye might just help.
Many a family gather and get over tension and broken relationships at the time of a funeral. Something very profound unites them all again. And that would be true for this family, I’m sure.
Updated
Prince William has withdrawn from this weekend’s Bafta awards ceremony, the organisation said in a statement.
“In light of the Duke of Edinburgh’s passing, the Duke of Cambridge will no longer be part of Bafta programming this weekend
“Our thoughts are with the royal family, to whom we offer our deepest sympathy at this time.”
Prince Philip, William’s grandfather, was Bafta’s first president, serving from 1959 to 1965.
William was due to feature during the event on Saturday in a pre-recorded conversation with costume designer Jenny Beavan and make-up and hair designer Sharon Martin talking about filming in lockdown and the craft of film-making.
On Sunday, he was due to deliver a speech, via video, celebrating the resilience of the film industry over the past year.
The king of Saudi Arabia, one of the many Middle Eastern autocrats with whom the British royal family has longstanding ties, has sent his condolences to the Queen.
King Salman’s telegram, sent late on Friday evening according to the official Saudi Press Agency, said:
We received with utmost sorrow the news of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and as we express to your majesty, the royal family and the friendly people of the United Kingdom, the warmest condolences and sincere consolation, we supplicate that you may never see any harm or mischief.
A similar message was sent by Salman’s son, crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, which according to SPA said:
I have received with utmost sorrow the news of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. I express to your majesty, the royal family and the friendly people of the United Kingdom, the warmest condolences and sincere consolation, wishing you permanent good health, and that you may never see any harm.
Both also sent messages of condolence to Prince Charles.
Updated
Pope offers condolences to the Queen
The pope has indirectly offered his condolences to the Queen in a telegram written by the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican News reports.
In 1980, Queen Elizabeth became the first British monarch to visit the Vatican, and two years later the first to receive a papal visit. Kings and queens of England have been the heads of the Anglican church since it split from the Vatican during the 16th century reign of Henry VIII.
Parolin’s telegram said:
Saddened to learn of the death of your husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, His Holiness Pope Francis offers heartfelt condolences to Your Majesty and the members of the royal family.
Recalling Prince Philip’s devotion to his marriage and family, his distinguished record of public service and his commitment to the education and advancement of future generations, His Holiness commends him to the merciful love of Christ our redeemer.
Upon you and upon all who grieve his loss in the sure hope of the resurrection, the Holy Father invokes the Lord’s blessings of consolation and peace.
Updated
The Church of England has published a page of prayer and liturgical resources for churches to access when planning services during the period of mourning.
Also on the page is an online book of condolence.
The guidance from the church, which is officially headed by the Queen, includes orders of service, prayers, structures for gatherings outside church and some suggestions for hymns.
A service of prayer suggested in the materials reads:
We meet in the name of Jesus Christ, who died and was raised to the glory of God the Father. Grace and mercy be with you. Today we come together to remember before God Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to give thanks for his life and to comfort one another in our grief.
The Duke of Cambridge has withdrawn from this weekend’s Bafta awards ceremony, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
His grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh – Bafta’s first president – died on Friday and William, who is the current president, was due to feature on Saturday in a pre-recorded conversation with costume designer Jenny Beavan and make-up and hair designer Sharon Martin, talking about filming in lockdown and the craft of film-making.
On Sunday, William was due to deliver a speech, via video, celebrating the resilience of the film industry over the past year.
The gun salute ceremony has now ended.
It was completed at 12.41pm, with one round fired per minute since noon in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, as well from Royal Navy warships.
Ships taking part included HMS Diamond, HMS Montrose and HMNB Portsmouth, while the Royal Gibraltar Regiment joined the salute from the British overseas territory.
The Earl of Wessex has left Windsor Castle with his wife, Sophie, after visiting his mother the Queen.
Police cleared the road as their vehicle left the area as the countess waved to members of the public.
As she left Windsor Castle, the Countess of Wessex said “the Queen has been amazing”.
Sophie spoke to reporters from a Land Rover driven by her husband, the Earl of Wessex.
The couple spent around an hour at the castle on Saturday morning.
Updated
Here are a few more pictures of the death gun salutes. They are being fired every minute until 12:40pm.
Hundreds of people have lined Tower Bridge overlooking where gunshots will be fired from midday in tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh.
A helicopter is also circling above the bridge as members of the Honourable Artillery Company, wearing black face coverings, fire the huge guns over the Thames below.
Saluting batteries began firing 41 rounds at one round every minute from midday on Saturday in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, as well from Royal Navy warships.
Updated
Gun salutes to mark the death of Prince Philip have begun
Members of the Honourable Artillery Company wearing black face coverings have assembled three guns facing the River Thames to begin the gun salute to mark the Duke of Edinburgh’s death.
The uniformed personnel arrived in four military vehicles, with three towing guns, outside the Tower of London.
In an event closed to the public due to coronavirus restrictions, the servicemen have begun firing 41 rounds of gunfire every sixty seconds at midday in tribute to Philip.
The guns in London will fire in unison with army units from all corners of the UK including Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh, and British Overseas Territory Gibraltar.
At sea, guns will be fired from Royal Navy ships across the globe in solemn remembrance.
Members of the public have been encouraged to watch via news channels from their homes.
Queen Rania of Jordan has paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh after his death aged 99 and described him as a “constant anchor” in his role of consort to the Queen.
Speaking to ITV news in a pre-recorded interview, she shared her own experiences as a consort and said the role is “defined as you go along based on how and where you can make a difference, where you are needed and where your passions lie”.
She said:
Being married to someone who is under so much pressure means you have to do whatever you can to try and alleviate some of that pressure. Even if that’s by being a distraction.
By providing an environment at home which takes their mind off the heaviness outside the house. That’s instrumental because the wellbeing of your spouse eventually has an impact on how well they carry out their duties.
On Philip, Queen Rania added: “There must have been times when it wasn’t easy for him... but at the same time he was a constant anchor for Her Majesty and I think she probably wouldn’t have been able to carry on her journey they way she did without him by her side.”
Gun salutes will shortly be marking the death of the Duke of Edinburgh across the UK, in Gibraltar and from warships at sea.
Saluting batteries will fire 41 rounds from 12pm in cities including Edinburgh, London and Cardiff, and at Hillsborough Castle in County Down.
Members of The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery were seen placing empty shells into boxes in advance of a gun salute at the Parade Ground, Woolwich Barracks in central London.
Ships taking part include HMS Diamond, HMS Montrose and HMNB Portsmouth, while the Royal Gibraltar Regiment will join the salute from the British overseas territory.
The public is being encouraged to observe the gun salutes, which are fired to mark significant national events, from home, as they will be broadcast online and on television.
Leaders around the world have paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh after his death on Friday morning.
US president Joe Biden called him “a heck of a guy”, while Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand, praised his contribution to the Commonwealth. The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, remembered the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme
Updated
Within six hours of Prince Philip’s death being announced the BBC had received so many complaints about its wall-to-wall coverage of the news that it opened a dedicated complaints form on its website.
The BBC curtailed dozens of broadcasts on Friday, taking the nation’s most popular television and radio channels off air and reduced dozens of other broadcasts on stations across the country, in order to provide uninterrupted coverage of tributes to the Queen’s husband.
BBC One played a series of pre-recorded shows, including Philip’s children paying tribute to him, while BBC Two scrapped its schedule and simulcast the same shows as its sister channel. Friday night staples such as EastEnders, Gardeners’ World, and the final episode of MasterChef were taken off air to make way for more tributes, a pattern followed by ITV and Channel 5.
Although the corporation is used to finding itself in the middle of Britain’s culture wars, its handling of Philip’s death points to a deeper question over the ability of a national broadcaster to force the country together to mourn a single individual in an era where audiences are fragmented and less deferential.
Read the full story here:
China’s president, Xi Jinping, expressed his condolences to the Queen over the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Beijing’s embassy in the UK said:
In a letter to the Buckingham Palace, the Chinese embassy conveyed the condolences and sympathy from President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan to Her Majesty The Queen and members of the Royal Family.
Updated
The Earl of Wessex has arrived at Windsor Castle following the death of his father, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Edward, 57, arrived by car at around 11am on Saturday, PA media reports.
Edward was seen arriving at the castle, where the Queen has been staying during the pandemic, in a blue Land Rover Discovery alongside his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
Updated
The Royal Family has shared a moving quote from the Queen about the Duke of Edinburgh from a speech she made celebrating their golden wedding anniversary in 1997.
“He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 10, 2021
-Her Majesty The Queen, 1997. pic.twitter.com/wbSldSavNA
The Queen was speaking in November 1997 during a lunch at Banqueting House in London, in which she looked back on “a remarkable 50 years”.
Updated
All five living former US presidents have paid tribute to Prince Philip
All five living former US presidents have paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh as messages of condolence from leaders around the world flood in.
There were 18 different US leaders during Philip’s lifetime, 13 of whom met the Queen during their time in office, beginning with President Harry Truman who met then-Princess Elizabeth in 1951. Philip accompanied his wife on almost all of these occasions.
We are sorry to hear that Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has passed away. President Carter and other heads of state dined with His Royal Highness and other members of the Royal Family on May 7, 1977, while attending the G7 Summit in London. Image, NAID 174724 pic.twitter.com/Abm2teKCwX
— Jimmy Carter Presidential Library (@CarterLibrary) April 9, 2021
Jimmy Carter, the oldest living US president at 96, said in a tweet issued via the presidential library: “We are sorry to hear that Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has passed away.”
It was accompanied by an image of Carter and other heads of state before a state dinner with the Queen, Philip and other senior royals during the G7 summit in London in 1977.
Donald Trump, who met the royal family twice during his four years in office, including a state visit in 2019, said Philip’s death is “an irreplaceable loss for Great Britain, and for all who hold dear our civilisation”.
He said the duke “defined British dignity and grace” and “personified the quiet reserve, stern fortitude, and unbending integrity of the United Kingdom”.
His predecessor, Barack Obama, said they were nervous of how to handle the “palaces and pomp” of the British monarchy during their visit but the Queen and Philip put them “at ease with their grace and generosity”.
Through his extraordinary example, His Royal Highness Prince Philip proved that true partnership has room for both ambition and selflessness — all in service of something greater. Our thoughts are with Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Family, and the British people. pic.twitter.com/qbH2ycbcaA
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 9, 2021
Obama said:
Prince Philip in particular was kind and warm, with a sharp wit and unfailing good humour.
It was our first introduction to the man behind the title, and in the years since, our admiration for him has only grown.
George W Bush and his wife Laura praised Philip’s “dignity” and “boundless strength” during his many decades as consort to the Queen.
“He represented the United Kingdom with dignity and brought boundless strength and support to the sovereign,” the couple said.
“Laura and I are fortunate to have enjoyed the charm and wit of his company, and we know how much he will be missed.”
He added that he and his wife offer heartfelt condolences to the Queen and the rest of Philip’s family.
Bill and Hillary Clinton said they had enjoyed “every opportunity we had to visit” Philip during their time at the heart of US government.
The Clintons said:
Hillary and I mourn the passing of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, and we join people from all around the world in giving thanks for his remarkable life of service.
We enjoyed every opportunity we had to visit with him through the years and will always be deeply grateful for the kindness he showed us.
Prince Philip’s legacy will live on not only through his family, but in all the charitable endeavors he shaped. Jill and I are keeping the Queen and Prince Philip’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the people of the United Kingdom in our hearts during this time.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 9, 2021
The current president, Joe Biden, who is reportedly due to meet the Queen in June, was among the first to expressed his sympathy, praising Philip’s life of “devoted public service”.
In a message on behalf of himself and his wife Jill, Mr Biden said: “Prince Philip’s legacy will live on not only through his family, but in all the charitable endeavours he shaped.”
The couple added:
The impact of his decades of devoted public service is evident in the worthy causes he lifted up as patron, in the environmental efforts he championed, in the members of the armed forces that he supported, in the young people he inspired, and so much more.
His legacy will live on not only through his family, but in all the charitable endeavours he shaped.
Updated
Newspapers around the world have given Prince Philip a rousing send off, with the Queen’s husband remembered for his loyalty, sense of duty and his occasional politically incorrect comment.
The British press led the way with an assortment of banner front pages in the Saturday editions and no shortage of accompanying souvenir pullouts.
“Farewell, my beloved,” says the Daily Mail on its front page, reporting the Queen’s “heartbreaking tribute” to her departed husband. It boasts a 144-page paper with “magical souvenir” magazine to mark the Duke of Edinburgh’s passing at the age of 99.
The Mirror takes a similar approach with its headline “Goodbye, my beloved” alongside a photograph of the royal couple and a tease to its tribute pullout.
Read the full story here:
Updated
Details of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, due to take place at St George’s Chapel, are expected to be released this weekend – but the ongoing lockdown in England will affect plans.
Philip, famously described by the Queen as her “constant strength and guide”, was known to have wanted a minimum of fuss at his funeral, PA media reports.
Buckingham Palace said:
During the coronavirus pandemic, and in light of current government advice and social distancing guidelines, modified funeral and ceremonial arrangements for His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh are being considered by Her Majesty The Queen.
Details will be confirmed in due course.
The Prince of Wales visited his mother, the Queen, on Friday afternoon, travelling from his Gloucestershire home to Windsor Castle, sources said.
An online book of condolence was opened on the royal family’s official website for the public to post personal tributes, while a steady stream of mourners left flowers outside both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle on Friday.
The Palace asked members of the public not to gather in crowds, saying: “Those wishing to express their condolences are asked to do so in the safest way possible, and not to gather at Royal residences.”
The monarch may give a televised address in memory of her husband of more than 70 years – the longest-serving consort in British history – but details of any possible broadcast have yet to be confirmed.
Updated
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex face the prospect of at least five days in quarantine if they return to the UK for Harry’s grandfather’s funeral, unless they get an exemption – though the couple have yet to publicly indicate whether they will attend.
As Meghan is pregnant with the couple’s second child and is due to give birth during the summer, some commentators said it was more likely that Harry would make the journey from California, where they live, alone for the service for Prince Philip.
A return to the UK would be his first since the couple spoke candidly in a US TV interview about their experience of royal life and said racism was a large part of the reason why they had chosen to leave Britain.
Read the full story here:
In Windsor, members of the public are also laying floral tributes outside Cambridge Gate, at the top of the Long Walk leading to Windsor Castle, where Philip died on Friday.
A spokesman for Windsor Great Park said tributes would be removed “respectfully” throughout the day and taken to a private location within the castle grounds and displayed.
The sound of bagpipes could be heard as people gathered, socially distanced, to pay their respects to the Duke of Edinburgh
Updated
Flowers are being left at Buckingham Palace again, following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh on Friday.
Small numbers of people can be seen gathered near the front gates of the central London landmark where the union flag flies at half mast. Several police officers are on patrol.
On the edge of Green Park overlooking the palace, the world’s broadcast media have set up for a second day of coverage.
Updated
The head of the Royal Navy has paid a touching tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh as “a close friend to the service for over eight decades”.
Philip had close ties with the Royal Navy throughout his life, from serving during the second world war to becoming the service’s Lord High Admiral on his 90th birthday.
Following his death on Friday morning, the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, said in a video message that he feels “immensely saddened” and remembered the duke’s “strong character, zeal and great charm”.
Sir Tony said:
His connection with the naval service spanned his life, from his evacuation from Greece in HMS Calypso at just 18 months old, up to his final public engagement at the Royal Marines parade at Buckingham Palace in 2017.
His genuine empathy, affection and engagement with the Royal Navy resonated with us all.
Despite his increasing public profile, Prince Philip remained first and foremost a naval officer, neither seeking nor being awarded any special privileges for his position in the royal family.
Prince Philip retained his involvement in the Royal Navy throughout his life, through official visits, patronage and association with naval charities and clubs, and always enjoyed visiting Royal Navy establishments and ships, and especially meeting sailors and marines.
His generous spirit has delighted all aspects of the naval service, and his deep understanding of our values, standards and ethos made him such a close friend to the service for over eight decades, and he will really be deeply missed by all of us.
After leaving school, Philip enrolled at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in May 1939, where he was singled out as best cadet.
The college was also where he met the Queen – then Princess Elizabeth – after he escorted her on a tour.
On completion of his training, the duke served in the Mediterranean, North Sea and Pacific, and was mentioned in dispatches for bravery and enterprise during the battle of Cape Matapan in Greece.
In 1942, he was promoted to First Lieutenant of HMS Wallace, and was described as “an officer of unusual promise, noted for his seamanship skills, high intellect, good judgment, strong character, zeal and great charm”, the First Sea Lord said.
After the second world war, the duke was posted to Pwllheli in north Wales, and as an instructor at HMS Royal Arthur in Wiltshire, where he became engaged to Princess Elizabeth.
They lived together in Malta during his service in the Mediterranean. In July 1950, Philip was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and given his first command of HMS Magpie - a ship whose name lives on in the current Royal Navy fleet.
Despite rising rapidly through the ranks, the duke left full-time service in 1951, due to the deteriorating health of his father-in-law, George VI, and the Queen-in-waiting Princess Elizabeth’s imminent ascension to the throne required them to take on more royal responsibilities.
Gun salutes will mark the death of Prince Philip on Saturday
Gun salutes marking the death of the Duke of Edinburgh are to take place across the UK, in Gibraltar and at sea.
Saluting batteries will fire 41 rounds at one round every minute from midday in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, as well as Gibraltar and from Royal Navy warships, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
Gun salutes have been fired to mark significant national events since as early as at least the 18th century, PA media reports.
They were used to mark the deaths of Queen Victoria in 1901 and Winston Churchill in 1965.
The public is being encouraged to observe the gun salutes, which will be broadcast online and on television, from home.
In London, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will ride out from their base at Napier Lines, Woolwich Barracks, onto the Parade Ground.
There will be 71 horses, 36 of them pulling six 13-pounder field guns dating from the first world war.
The same guns were also fired for Philip’s wedding to the Queen in 1947 and at her Coronation six years later in 1953.
The defence secretary, Ben Wallace, said:
His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh was a constant supporter and ambassador of the armed forces.
We celebrate his life of service and offer our condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family.
The chief of the defence Staff, Gen Sir Nick Carter, said:
His Royal Highness has been a great friend, inspiration and role model for the armed forces and he will be sorely missed.
The Duke of Edinburgh served among us during the Second World War, and he remained devoted to the Royal Navy and the armed forces as a whole.
A life well lived, His Royal Highness leaves us with a legacy of indomitable spirit, steadfastness and an unshakeable sense of duty. From all of us who serve today and who have served, thank you.
The Honourable Artillery Company will fire a salute at the Tower of London, the 104th Regiment Royal Artillery will fire from Cardiff Castle, and the 105th Regiment Royal Artillery will fire at Hillsborough Castle, Belfast and Edinburgh Castle.
Ships taking part include the HMS Diamond, HMS Montrose and HMNB Portsmouth, while the Royal Gibraltar Regiment will join the salute from the British overseas territory.
Updated
