Summary

  • Parliaments across the UK were recalled early to pay tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh

  • Prince Philip died on Friday, aged 99

  • The House of Lords reflected on the duke as a "modernising monarch"

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised his "commitment to young people", with Labour's Sir Keir Starmer calling him a "rock" for the Queen

  • Memories were also shared in Holyrood, Stormont and the Senedd

  1. Rennie recalls brief encounter with Duke at receptionpublished at 12:08 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Willie Rennie

    Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie recalled how Prince Philip once "bounced up" to him at a reception and demanded to know what the badge on his lapel - in the shape of a blue man - was for.

    He told the Duke it was to show support for the prostate cancer campaign.

    Mr Rennie says: "He looked at me closely and said: 'Have you got it or are you against it?'

    "Then he bounced off again.

    "The engagement was only 30 seconds long but it has stayed with me, and was to be retold numerous times over the years.

    "It seems that he left lasting impressions with so many other too."

  2. Harvie offers condolencespublished at 12:00 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Patrick Harvie

    Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie offers his condolences to Prince Philip's family and friends after the Duke's death.

    Mr Harvie says his party (as republicans) considered whether or not to take part in today's tributes.

    However, he says "respect and compassion" are due in times of loss.

  3. Duke was 'always interested, always thoughtful'published at 11:57 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Andrew RT Davies

    The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, also paid tribute to the work Prince Philip had done towards supporting young people, military charities and wildlife projects.

    He said the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme had benefitted millions of young people around the world, while in Wales it had put “more than 400,000 people on the road to a future of bright prospects”.

    Mr Davies said he had met the Prince on several occasions when he’d visited the Senedd and he was “always interested, always thoughtful and always considered in his judgement”.

  4. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award 'saved me from jail'published at 11:54 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Duke of EdinburghImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The prince meets participants of his award scheme

    In paying tribute to Prince Philip, many parliamentarians have mentioned his Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

    The programme, set up in 1956, awards young people for taking part in activities - including learning new skills, volunteering and going on outdoor expeditions.

    For many, it will conjure memories of hauling a badly-packed rucksack across the rainy British countryside in the hope of adding some sparkle to their CV.

    Yet for some of the millions of young people who have taken on the self-improvement challenge, it has brought truly life-changing opportunities.

    The BBC's Alice Evans spoke to one young man who says doing the award probably kept him out of prison.

  5. Sarwar hails legacy of Duke's awards schemepublished at 11:48 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    The Duke of Edinburgh attends the Presentation Reception for The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award holders in the gardens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on July 6, 2017Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The Duke of Edinburgh attended a reception for The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award holders at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2017

    Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says the UK had lost an "extraordinary public servant".

    He says he never had the pleasure of meeting Prince Philip, but he recalls the experiences of a man who was jailed at the age of 17 and found a "new direction" in life through the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.

    Mr Sarwar says there will be countless young lives who have been saved by the Duke's award scheme, which was launched in 1956.

    At the time Prince Philip said if you could get a young person to success in any one area then that feeling of success would spread over into many others.

    Quote Message

    Following the difficult year experience by so many young people with their lives and their learning disrupted by Covid, Prince Philip's words from 65 years ago are just as relevant today and a reminder of the collective national mission we face in the years ahead to make sure ever child fulfils their potential.

    Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader

  6. 'Grief is the price we pay for love'published at 11:40 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    ruth davidson

    Back in Scotland, and the Conservatives' leader in Holyrood, Ruth Davidson begins: "Grief is the price we pay for love."

    She says this in recognition of the huge sense of loss the Queen must be feeling right now.

    Ms Davidson goes on to say the duke was a moderniser in life, as well as work.

  7. Drakeford: 'Each loss is uniquely felt'published at 11:36 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Wales' first minister said the last 12 months had seen many families faced with the grief of losing someone they have loved.

    “However it happens, each loss is uniquely felt by those for whom that person will leave a gap in their lives, which no one else can fill.

    “Our thoughts today are with those members of the wider royal family, who have to face that loss in the particularly distressing circumstances, caused by the public health emergency.”

    Mr Drakeford concluded: “On behalf of the Welsh Government and those supporting the government in this Parliament, which was another huge development during his lifetime, I extend our sincerest sympathies at the end of an exceptional life lived.”

  8. First minister pays tribute to 'an exceptional life lived'published at 11:34 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Mark Drakeford

    Over in Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford told the virtual Senedd meeting Prince Philip had lived a "remarkable” life.

    The Welsh Labour leader said the duke championed a “broad diversity” of causes in Wales “in the spheres of culture, sport and the environment”.

    Mr Drakeford said: “A very long life in any circumstances, brings with it a set of remarkable events witnessed and experiences, enjoyed or endured.

    “To have lived such a life at the centre of world events and in a way which made almost every experience of public, rather than simply private interest, makes it even more remarkable still, and that was the life of the Duke of Edinburgh.

    “We will all have heard the tributes of the last few days, and their entirely accurate focus on the theme of public service, but it is worth pausing for a moment to remember the human story that goes alongside the service, and the decade after decade in which that service was sustained.”

  9. 'An extraordinary man who led an extraordinary life'published at 11:30 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Jonny Dymond
    BBC royal correspondent

    Prince PhilipImage source, PA Media

    He outlived nearly everyone who knew him and might explain him.

    And so we have been left with a two-dimensional portrait of the duke; salt-tongued and short-tempered, a man who told off-colour jokes and made politically incorrect remarks, an eccentric great-uncle who'd been around forever and towards whom most people felt affection - but who rather too often embarrassed himself and others in company.

    With his death will come reassessment. Because Prince Philip was an extraordinary man who lived an extraordinary life; a life intimately connected with the sweeping changes of our turbulent 20th Century, a life of fascinating contrast and contradiction, of service and some degree of solitude.

    A complex, clever, eternally restless man.

    Read more from Jonny Dymond here.

  10. 'Thoughtful, deeply interesting and fiercely intelligent'published at 11:26 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Queen, Prince Philip and Nicola SturgeonImage source, Getty Images

    Nicola Sturgeon says she "always enjoyed" her conversations with the Duke and describes him as a "thoughtful man, deeply interesting and fiercely intelligent."

    The first minister adds: "He was also a serious bookworm, which I am too, so talking about the books we were reading was often for me a real highlight of out conversation."

    She praises his passion for conservation, contribution to charity and hailed the success of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

    Ms Sturgeon adds it provides "opportunity, hope and inspiration" in more than 100 countries across the world.

    The duke led an "extraordinary life", the first minister added.

  11. Duke of Edinburgh was 'devoted to supporting the Queen'published at 11:25 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Nicola Sturgeon highlights Prince Philip's distinguished military career for which, alone, "he is owed a significant debt of gratitude".

    But she adds the Second World War was just the beginning of his life of public service - as he went on to become the longest-serving consort in British history.

    Ms Sturgeon says that his role "can't have been an easy one, particularly for one who is spirited and energetic by temperament".

    She also points out that he was the husband of a powerful woman at a time when it was "even more of an exception than it is today."

    Ms Sturgeon adds: "The Duke of Edinburgh was devoted to supporting the Queen.

    "They were a true partnership."

  12. First Minister leads tributes to Prince Philippublished at 11:24 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Nicola Sturgeon

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the tributes paid to the Prince Philip show the affection he was in held in in Scotland, the UK and around the world.

    Ms Sturgeon expressed her deepest sympathy to the Queen, her children and the wider royal family.

    She said he had "already led a life of distinction" before he became a public figure.

  13. Silence for Prince Philippublished at 11:20 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Minute silence

    Presiding Officer Elin Jones has opened the recall of the Senedd in Wales in a virtual session to pay tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh.

    She said members were meeting to “to express our sympathy with Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family”.

    “The prince gave many years of public service," she said.

    "This included active military service during the Second World War and the creation of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which has given hundreds of thousands of young people in Wales and beyond vital experiences and opportunities.”

    Members of the Senedd then held a minute's silence for the duke.

  14. MSPs observe a minute's silencepublished at 11:16 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    ken macintosh

    Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh got proceedings under way in Scotland by calling for MSPs to observe a minute's silence, as a mark of respect to Prince Philip.

    silence
  15. Parliaments return for tributespublished at 11:10 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Members of the Scottish Parliament will be paying tribute to the duke from 11:00

    All four parliaments across the UK announced soon after the death that they would come back from Easter recess early to pay tribute to the duke.

    Proceedings began in Wales, with the Senedd meeting at 11:00 BST (10:00 GMT).

    Scottish politicians also started their session at 11:00, with the Northern Ireland Assembly meeting at 12:00.

    Lords will start their business with a humble address at 13:00.

    And at 14:30, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will lead the memories in the Commons.

    Follow us for coverage from all the events here.

  16. Tributes pour in for Duke of Edinburghpublished at 11:05 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Prince Philip's death was announced just after mid-day on Friday, with a statement from Buckingham Palace.

    It spoke of the Queen's "deep sorrow" at losing her husband of over 70 years.

    Tributes poured in from across the world - from political leaders to members of the public who had met him fleetingly.

    Boris Johnson led the condolences from the steps of Downing Street, pointing to the duke's "steadfast support" of the Queen.

    You can watch his speech below...

    Media caption,

    PM Boris Johnson pays tribute to Prince Philip

  17. Welcome to the BBC politics live pagepublished at 10:59 British Summer Time 12 April 2021

    Flag at half-mast

    Good morning from Westminster, where we are set for a day of remembrance for the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday aged 99.

    Parliaments across the UK have all been recalled early from their Easter breaks to mark the passing of Prince Philip.

    We will bring you tributes from those in Westminster, Holyrood, Stormont and the Senedd as the official mourning period for the duke continues.