Queen Elizabeth II announced "with deep sorrow" that her husband, Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, has "passed away peacefully" at Windsor Castle.
Born on June 10, 1921, on the Greek island of Corfu, Prince Phillip, a former WWII naval officer, was 99 years old when he passed away.
He was the son of Princess Alice of Battenberg and Prince Andrew of Greece and was a member of the Royal Family since 1947.
Prime minister Jacinda Ardern expressed New Zealand’s sorrow at his death in a statement overnight and said "our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen at this profoundly sad time".
"On behalf of the New Zealand people and the government, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Her Majesty and to all the Royal Family."
“Prince Philip will be fondly remembered for the encouragement he gave to so many young New Zealanders through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award. In over fifty years of The Award in New Zealand, thousands of young people have completed life-changing challenges through the programme”.
"His time as royal consort exceeded that of any other royal consort in British history. His Royal Highness accompanied The Queen on her ten visits to New Zealand, the first being in 1953, and the last in 2002."
ACT party’s David Seymour said Prince Philip will be remembered for his long dedication to public service.
“He has selflessly contributed to a long period of stability for the Monarchy and the Commonwealth even as the world has experienced enormous change.”
"He spoke plainly and joyfully, often saying what many would like to with a twinkle in his eye. We will all miss him dearly,” Seymour said.
Prince Phillip was a patron or member of over 780 organisations. His New Zealand connections included his role as patron of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and the New Zealand Society (in the United Kingdom). He was a life member and gold badge award holder of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association, and life member of Aviation New Zealand, and the Tin Hat Club. He was an honorary member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Veterans’ Association and the Wellington Club.
Additionally, he was an honorary fellow of the New Zealand Institution of Professional Engineers, and the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. He was also involved with a number of Commonwealth associations, such as the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth.
Ardern said at her direction all flags on government buildings and naval vessels will be flown at half-mast.
She said the government is awaiting more details concerning the arrangements for Prince Phillip's funeral and that a national memorial service will be held in Wellington following it. More details will follow once arrangements have been confirmed.
