Published Friday 9 April 2021 at 15:21
Blackburn with Darwen Council offers its sincerest condolences to all members of the Royal Family.
Prince Philip, 99, was the longest serving consort in British history.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visited Lancashire on many occasions during his life.
We were honoured in Blackburn to host Maundy Thursday at Blackburn Cathedral in 2014 which was a particularly momentous occasion for the whole county. The Queen presented Maundy money to Lancashire residents at the historic Maundy Thursday service.
The Duke and Queen were married for more than 70 years and Philip dedicated decades of his life to royal duty, serving the nation at the monarch’s side.
He officially retired from public engagements in the summer of 2017.
Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Cllr Mohammed Khan, Deputy Mayor Cllr Derek Hardman and Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Conservative Party Cllr John Slater have expressed their condolences following his death.
Councillor Mohammed Khan CBE, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:
Prince Philip was last in the borough for Maundy Thursday in 2014. It was a very moving occasion. I’m very sad to hear of his passing and our thoughts are with his loved ones.
The Council will be playing its part in paying tribute to Prince Philip and on behalf of the Borough I am writing to Her Majesty the Queen to offer our thoughts and condolences at this sad time.
Deputy Mayor, Cllr Derek Hardman, said:
He was an exceptional person who was admired and respected at home, and around the world, for his energy and devotion to duty and for his loyalty to the Queen.
Prince Philip was a man of character and spirit. He will be remembered with affection for many reasons, he was devoted to his family and his royal duties. Always at the Queen’s side, they were married in 1947 and he was her rock.
He devoted his life to Queen and country and will be greatly missed.
The Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, which he initiated, has put many young people on the right tracks.
Cllr John Slater said:
During his career His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was involved in hundreds of charities and organisations and will of course leave behind a fitting reminder of his work in the highly regarded Duke of Edinburg Award which so many young people have completed.
As a fellow member of the Royal Navy Veterans Association, I had the pleasure of meeting the Duke of Edinburgh, and also met him whilst serving in the Royal Navy. On both occasions he was very knowledgeable, very civil, and he will be a great loss as an ambassador for the Royal Navy.
Our thoughts are with the royal family.
The Council will be lowering the flag on our Civic buildings today as a mark of respect and an online book of condolence is available to sign for those who wish to pay their respects.
Coronavirus restrictions mean that physical books of condolence cannot be made available locally, but anyone wishing to leave a message can do so:
- In a Lancashire book of condolence on the Lancashire County Council website
- Or in a national book of condolence at www.royal.uk
National advice issued by the government this afternoon asks the public not to gather at Royal Residences, and to continue to follow public health advice particularly on avoiding meeting in large groups and on minimising travel.
The Royal Household has also asked that floral tributes should not be laid at this time.
The Council will follow official procedures following the death of Prince Philip and further details can be found here: www.blackburn.gov.uk