The presidents of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus have extended their condolences to Queen Elizabeth II, her family and the people of Britain following the passing of Prince Philip earlier today.
The Royal Family announced the death of the prince just after midday. The short statement said, “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
Prince Philip was aged 99. His death came a month before his 100th birthday. He was treated for an infection and heart procedure at King Edward VII Hospital and St Bartholomew’s Hospital earlier this year, which saw him hospitalised for four weeks.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tweeted: “Upon the passing of The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, spouse of Queen Elizabeth II, I convey my deepest condolences on behalf of my country and the Turkish nation. I share the sorrow of the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom.”
In his statement, TRNC President Ersin Tatar said: “It is with great sorrow that we have learned, following the message from Her Majesty The Queen, that her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has died.
“Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen, the Royal Family and the people of the UK who are mourning this great loss.”
President Ersin Tatar condolence statement following death of His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip@ersinrtatar https://t.co/sM1yl5aJcw pic.twitter.com/M0LMRilobg
— KKTC Cumhurbaşkanlığı (@KKTCCB) April 9, 2021
British Turks also paid tribute to Prince Philip. Retired British Ambassador Alp Mehmet shared his memories of Prince Philip on a state visit to Iceland in June 1990, where he was serving as Consul-General at the time.
Tweeting a series photos of himself, the Prince and the Queen at a cemetery in Iceland, the former ambassador said he was asked by Prince Philip “why there were so many airman buried at the Fossvogur Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Iceland”.
Former British Ambassador Alp Mehmet with Prince Philip, Iceland 1990
HRH quizzing me on why there were so many airman buried at at the Fossvogur Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Iceland (1990 state visit) pic.twitter.com/x7jFAjsSRH
— Alp Mehmet (@AlpMehm) April 9, 2021
Mr Mehmet described the prince as a “truly great man”, and wished that he “may he rest in peace.”
Writing on her Facebook page, Baroness Meral Hussein-Ece said, “Prince Phillip was the Queens consort and husband of over 70 years, and he’s been a constant figure in some of our lives for ever.
“I met him when I was a guest at Buckingham Palace, and we chatted – he was extremely charming and very friendly. RIP. And condolences to HM The Queen.”
Tweeting in English and Turkish, the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations UK wrote: “On behalf of UK Turkish Cypriots, we extend our deepest sympathy to HM The Queen, Royal Family, & entire British nation on the sad loss of Prince Philip. A great family man & servant to this country, a war hero, loyal consort, may he RIP.
“Allah rahmet eylesin. Nur içinde yatsın.”
On behalf of UK Turkish Cypriots, we extend our deepest sympathy to HM The Queen, @RoyalFamily & entire British nation on the sad loss of Prince Philip. A great family man & servant to this country, a war hero, loyal consort, may he RIP.
Allah rahmet eylesin. Nur içinde yatsın.— CTCA UK (@CTCAUK) April 9, 2021
