Prince Philip: Wales reacts to the death of the Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Philip accompanied Queen Elizabeth when she officially opened the new National Assembly for Wales in 2006

People across Wales have been paying tribute to Prince Philip who has died, aged 99.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said the Duke of Edinburgh "served the crown with selfless devotion and generosity of spirit". 

The main political parties in Wales said they would suspend campaigning for the 6 May Senedd election.

Flags at many civic buildings are being flown at half-mast and books of condolence have been opened online.

The Welsh Parliament will be recalled at 11:00 BST on Monday for members of the Senedd to pay their respects.

Flags have been lowered at the Senedd as a mark of respect

Presiding Officer Elin Jones said the duke had given "many years of public service", and the creation of the Duke of Edinburgh Award had "given hundreds of thousands of young people in Wales and beyond vital experiences and opportunities".

"The Senedd sends its condolences," she said.

Mr Drakeford said: "It is with great sadness that we learned today of the death of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.

"Throughout his long life Prince Philip served with a selfless devotion and a remarkable generosity of spirit.

"On behalf of the Welsh government and people in all parts of Wales, I offer our deepest condolences to Her Majesty the Queen, Her Majesty's children and their families on this sad occasion."

He said the duke would be "sorely missed by the many Welsh organisations that he supported as patron or president over so many decades of service".

The Archbishop of Wales John Davies said the duke had been the Queen's rock and had lived a life rooted in service and duty both to her and others.

"For his gifts and talents, for the benefits that his life brought to the lives of others, for his sense of duty and calling, and for his many evident and admirable qualities and attributes, we should give thanks and pray that he might be at peace, free from human frailty, and in new life with Christ."

Recalling a meeting with the duke during the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002, the archbishop said he was a "great figure of a man with a sense of duty".

"Even then there was a twinkle in the eye and a sense of someone who was real, flesh and blood human and someone who I would have liked to have met more and perhaps had a pint with."

The duke's former press secretary James Roscoe, from Dwygyfylchi, Conwy county, said it had been a privilege to work with him, adding he was "no nonsense" and had "genuine wit".

"From military to youth clubs, to DoE award recipients, his interest in people and their stories was real, his motivation always encouraging service in others by example," he said.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, royal biographer and historian Brian Hoey, from the Vale of Glamorgan, said: "He was determined to live for the next two weeks so he could celebrate his wife's 95th birthday, sadly he didn't make it and of course he won't make it to his 100th birthday.

"He really wanted to receive the telegram from his wife - that was his humour."

• Obituary: HRH the Duke of Edinburgh

• An extraordinary man who led an extraordinary life

• Who he was, what he did and why he mattered

• Prince Philip: A life in pictures

• More on the prince and his life

Flags have been lowered to half-mast outside Cardiff Castle

Sir Norman Lloyd Edwards, former Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, said the duke was committed to helping "future generations" and it had been a "joy" when he visited.

He told BBC Radio Wales: "He hated being praised but he has done more for the country than we could have ever imagined or understood.

"It's sad, though understandable, that it will be a private funeral. The public would have wanted to line the streets for him."

Baroness Grey-Thompson, chair of the Duke Of Edinburgh Awards, said the duke was "fascinated" hearing young people's stories of the challenges they had faced taking part in the scheme.

"He wanted to know the good bits, he wanted to know the challenges, and he made everyone feel incredibly special," she said.

"You came away from any time you spent with him feeling really enthusiastic about how we could get more young people involved. It has had a massive impact on young people's lives."

The duke attended the opening of the Wales Millennium Centre with the Queen in 2004

Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre said: "Over the years, the Royal Family have been great supporters of theatre and the arts, and the duke attended Wales Millennium Centre with HRH Queen Elizabeth on many occasions, including the opening of the building in 2004. We remember these special visits and moments with thanks."

Hywel Dda health board said it was "proud that Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, was named in honour of His Royal Highness" when it opened in May 1990, describing him as "a committed and loyal public servant".

Rhyl RNLI paid respects to their patron and thanked him for his "longstanding commitment to maritime service".

Welsh male voice choir Only Men Aloud said it was saddened at the news and "honoured to have met him and performed for him on numerous occasions".

'Devoted and diligent'

The duke at the opening of the fourth assembly on 7 June 2011

The leaders of Welsh Labour, the Welsh Conservatives, Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Wales Green Party, said campaigning for the Senedd election had been paused out of a mark of respect.

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd Andrew RT Davies said: "This is a very sad day for the United Kingdom. Dutiful, devoted, and diligent, his like will never be seen again."

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said Prince Philip was a "phenomenal public servant" who led "an inspirational life that will inspire so many across the world".

Flags have been lowered to half-mast outside Cardiff City Hall

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said: "Many young people in Wales will have benefited from the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, a reflection of many decades of his public service."

He offered sincere condolences to the Queen and his children, adding: "He will be missed by the many organisations that he supported as patron or president over many decades of service."

His party is set to resume election campaigning on Monday.

Prince Philip visited the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre on June in 2016

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds said the duke "gave a lifetime of duty and service not only to the Queen but to our country.

"He dedicated his life to many worthy causes and for that the nation should be forever thankful."

Anthony Slaughter, leader of Wales Green Party said: "My thoughts are with Her Majesty the Queen and her family at this difficult time."

Respects paid across Wales

Flags have been lowered at Caernarfon Castle where the duke accompanied Prince Charles at his investiture in July 1969

Across Wales flags are flying at half-mast on public buildings, and books of condolences have been opened, many online, for people to pay their respects.

The Senedd estate said it had opened a virtual book of condolence, while many councils have set up books for residents to sign.

Chair of Carmarthenshire council Ieuan Davies said the area had "fond memories" of the duke visiting during the Queen's Golden Jubilee tour of Wales in 2002, and during his visit to Bancyfelin in 2010.

Players and officials took part in a two-minute silence at the Yorkshire v Glamorgan match at Headingley

Welsh Local Government Association leader Andrew Morgan said: "The passing of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh marks the end of a long era in British history.

"From his posting in Pwllheli following the Second World War, his multiple visits following the Aberfan disaster and many other engagements and patronages, Prince Philip showed a dedication to Wales. Many councillors will take inspiration from his steadfast commitment to public life."

Flags have been lowered at buildings around Wales, including Llandudno's Venue Cymru

Flags were also lowered at the Menai Bridge