TRIBUTES have poured in from across the country with the news that the Duke of Edinburgh has died at the age of 99.
In Basingstoke, the local MP, councillors and other community figures are expressing their sadness.
The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane has led borough tributes to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, following the formal announcement of his death.
The Mayor Cllr Diane Taylor said: “The death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip is very sad news indeed and we in the borough of Basingstoke and Deane mourn the passing of a great man.
"He has been a devoted and loving support alongside our Queen for more than seven decades and a familiar pillar of reliability to all of us in this nation.
"His unique mix of dedication and humour has been a feature throughout all of our lives – the personification of stability in a changing world. He will be greatly missed. I will, of course, be sending the condolences of the people of this borough to Her Majesty the Queen.”
The Union Flag will fly outside the Basingstoke and Deane Civic Offices at half-mast until after the late Duke’s funeral.
Prince Philip visited the borough in November 2013 to open the new art, design and technology department named The Duke of Edinburgh Building at his former school, Cheam School, now in Headley. Prince Philip had previously visited Basingstoke in December 2000 to officially open the Milestones Museum.
Among those paid tributes was Women's Equality Party's Basingstoke team.
Our condolences to the Queen and the whole royal family on the loss of a beloved husband, father and grandfather. RIP Prince Philip.
— Women's Equality Party Basingstoke (@wepbasingstoke) April 9, 2021
Basingstoke Fire and Rescue Service has also paid tribute to Prince Philip.
Such sad news. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this very sad time. RIP HRH Prince Philip. https://t.co/sa6a7IaGKP
— Basingstoke RDS (@BasingstokeRDS) April 9, 2021
Among the Gazette's readers, Suzanne Spokes wrote: "It's a sad day. My thoughts are with the queen and all the royal families. May you rest in peace."
Diane Beard wrote: "RIP Prince Philip our thoughts are with the Queen and her family. A sad day."
Clare Hollylee wrote: "RIP Philip. Whether or not you're a royalist a woman has lost her husband of 73 years and everyone else has lost a father, grandfather and great grandfather. My thoughts go out to the Royal family and the Queen."
Paul Pooser Graham paid his tribute, writing: "RIP SIR. You have done her Majesty and our country proud."
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