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In memoriam: His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh

Statement from the Speaker of the Senate,
The Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C.

Today, the Senate of Canada mourns the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and celebrates his long and remarkable life. The century of his lifespan was marked by significant change, both in Canada and around the world. The death of The Duke of Edinburgh marks the end of an era.

Following a successful naval career during which he saw active service in the Second World War, The Duke of Edinburgh began to focus on his work in support of The Queen following her Accession in 1952. In 2009 he became the longest serving British consort (companion to the Sovereign), a distinction previously held by Queen Charlotte, George III’s consort. His Royal Highness also had many interests which he pursued separately to his work with Her Majesty, including conservation, engineering, and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award which he founded in 1956.

The Senate offers, at this time, its deepest sympathies to Her Majesty The Queen and to the Royal Family. We join in sorrow our fellow nations throughout the Commonwealth who, like us, will greatly miss His late Royal Highness and all that his extraordinary character contributed to our shared heritage.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, arrive by horse-drawn carriage for Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2010 as part of the royal couple’s 21st tour of Canada. The visit marked Prince Philip’s 45th to the country. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, arrive by horse-drawn carriage for Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2010 as part of the royal couple’s 21st tour of Canada. The visit marked Prince Philip’s 45th to the country. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

 

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip chat during Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2010. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip chat during Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2010. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

During their 16th visit to Canada in September 1984, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh wave to crowds of supporters as they depart Parliament Hill for Rideau Hall, the official residence of the governor general. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

During their 16th visit to Canada in September 1984, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh wave to crowds of supporters as they depart Parliament Hill for Rideau Hall, the official residence of the governor general. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to crowds on Parliament Hill as they ride in an open carriage, escorted by RCMP officers, during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee visit to Canada in 1977. The Queen later opened the third session of the 30th Parliament with the reading of the Speech from the Throne from the Senate Chamber. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wade through a sea of more than 100,000 well-wishers waving Canadian flags on Parliament Hill on April 17, 1982. The Queen was in Ottawa to sign the Proclamation of the Constitution Act, an act that transferred Canada’s Constitution — and the power to amend it — from Britain’s Parliament to Canada’s federal and provincial legislatures. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to crowds on Parliament Hill as they ride in an open carriage, escorted by RCMP officers, during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee visit to Canada in 1977. The Queen later opened Parliament with the reading of the Speech from the Throne from the Senate Chamber. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to crowds on Parliament Hill as they ride in an open carriage, escorted by RCMP officers, during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee visit to Canada in 1977. The Queen later opened the third session of the 30th Parliament with the reading of the Speech from the Throne from the Senate Chamber. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth reads the throne speech from the monarch’s throne in the Senate Chamber, with Prince Philip at her side in the consort’s throne, in 1977. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth reads the throne speech from the monarch’s throne in the Senate Chamber, with Prince Philip at her side in the consort’s throne, in 1977. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Prince Philip listens as Queen Elizabeth reads the Speech from the Throne on October 14, 1957, opening Canada’s 23rd Parliament. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Prince Philip listens as Queen Elizabeth reads the Speech from the Throne on October 14, 1957, opening Canada’s 23rd Parliament. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip take their seats on the royal thrones on Parliament Hill for the signing of the Proclamation of the Constitution Act in 1982. The thrones normally occupy a dais at the head of the Senate Chamber in Centre Block but were moved to a stage in front of the building for the ceremony. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip take their seats on the royal thrones on Parliament Hill for the signing of the Proclamation of the Constitution Act in 1982. The thrones normally occupy a dais at the head of the Senate Chamber in Centre Block but were moved to a stage in front of the building for the ceremony. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Prince Philip accompanies Queen Elizabeth as she reads the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber on October 18, 1977, officially opening the third session of Canada’s 30th Parliament. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Prince Philip accompanies Queen Elizabeth as she reads the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber on October 18, 1977, officially opening the third session of Canada’s 30th Parliament. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip ride to Parliament Hill in October 1957 for the opening of the 23rd Parliament during the royal couple’s first tour of Canada following the Queen’s coronation in 1953. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip ride to Parliament Hill in October 1957 for the opening of the 23rd Parliament during the royal couple’s first tour of Canada following the Queen’s coronation in 1953. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip enter Centre Block for the opening of Parliament in 1957. The Queen wears her 1953 coronation gown and Prince Philip wears the uniform of a colonel-in-chief of the Royal Canadian Regiment. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip enter Centre Block for the opening of Parliament in 1957. The Queen wears her 1953 coronation gown and Prince Philip wears the uniform of a colonel-in-chief of the Royal Canadian Regiment. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Book of condolences for His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh

Canadians are invited to sign and view the online book of condolences.

View the online book of condolences

Tributes in the Senate - April 20, 2021

Watch on Senate ParlVu

In memoriam: His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh

Statement from the Speaker of the Senate,
The Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C.

Today, the Senate of Canada mourns the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and celebrates his long and remarkable life. The century of his lifespan was marked by significant change, both in Canada and around the world. The death of The Duke of Edinburgh marks the end of an era.

Following a successful naval career during which he saw active service in the Second World War, The Duke of Edinburgh began to focus on his work in support of The Queen following her Accession in 1952. In 2009 he became the longest serving British consort (companion to the Sovereign), a distinction previously held by Queen Charlotte, George III’s consort. His Royal Highness also had many interests which he pursued separately to his work with Her Majesty, including conservation, engineering, and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award which he founded in 1956.

The Senate offers, at this time, its deepest sympathies to Her Majesty The Queen and to the Royal Family. We join in sorrow our fellow nations throughout the Commonwealth who, like us, will greatly miss His late Royal Highness and all that his extraordinary character contributed to our shared heritage.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, arrive by horse-drawn carriage for Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2010 as part of the royal couple’s 21st tour of Canada. The visit marked Prince Philip’s 45th to the country. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, arrive by horse-drawn carriage for Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2010 as part of the royal couple’s 21st tour of Canada. The visit marked Prince Philip’s 45th to the country. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

 

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip chat during Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2010. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip chat during Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in 2010. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

During their 16th visit to Canada in September 1984, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh wave to crowds of supporters as they depart Parliament Hill for Rideau Hall, the official residence of the governor general. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

During their 16th visit to Canada in September 1984, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh wave to crowds of supporters as they depart Parliament Hill for Rideau Hall, the official residence of the governor general. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to crowds on Parliament Hill as they ride in an open carriage, escorted by RCMP officers, during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee visit to Canada in 1977. The Queen later opened the third session of the 30th Parliament with the reading of the Speech from the Throne from the Senate Chamber. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wade through a sea of more than 100,000 well-wishers waving Canadian flags on Parliament Hill on April 17, 1982. The Queen was in Ottawa to sign the Proclamation of the Constitution Act, an act that transferred Canada’s Constitution — and the power to amend it — from Britain’s Parliament to Canada’s federal and provincial legislatures. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to crowds on Parliament Hill as they ride in an open carriage, escorted by RCMP officers, during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee visit to Canada in 1977. The Queen later opened Parliament with the reading of the Speech from the Throne from the Senate Chamber. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to crowds on Parliament Hill as they ride in an open carriage, escorted by RCMP officers, during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee visit to Canada in 1977. The Queen later opened the third session of the 30th Parliament with the reading of the Speech from the Throne from the Senate Chamber. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth reads the throne speech from the monarch’s throne in the Senate Chamber, with Prince Philip at her side in the consort’s throne, in 1977. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth reads the throne speech from the monarch’s throne in the Senate Chamber, with Prince Philip at her side in the consort’s throne, in 1977. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Prince Philip listens as Queen Elizabeth reads the Speech from the Throne on October 14, 1957, opening Canada’s 23rd Parliament. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Prince Philip listens as Queen Elizabeth reads the Speech from the Throne on October 14, 1957, opening Canada’s 23rd Parliament. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip take their seats on the royal thrones on Parliament Hill for the signing of the Proclamation of the Constitution Act in 1982. The thrones normally occupy a dais at the head of the Senate Chamber in Centre Block but were moved to a stage in front of the building for the ceremony. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip take their seats on the royal thrones on Parliament Hill for the signing of the Proclamation of the Constitution Act in 1982. The thrones normally occupy a dais at the head of the Senate Chamber in Centre Block but were moved to a stage in front of the building for the ceremony. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Prince Philip accompanies Queen Elizabeth as she reads the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber on October 18, 1977, officially opening the third session of Canada’s 30th Parliament. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Prince Philip accompanies Queen Elizabeth as she reads the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber on October 18, 1977, officially opening the third session of Canada’s 30th Parliament. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip ride to Parliament Hill in October 1957 for the opening of the 23rd Parliament during the royal couple’s first tour of Canada following the Queen’s coronation in 1953. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip ride to Parliament Hill in October 1957 for the opening of the 23rd Parliament during the royal couple’s first tour of Canada following the Queen’s coronation in 1953. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip enter Centre Block for the opening of Parliament in 1957. The Queen wears her 1953 coronation gown and Prince Philip wears the uniform of a colonel-in-chief of the Royal Canadian Regiment. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip enter Centre Block for the opening of Parliament in 1957. The Queen wears her 1953 coronation gown and Prince Philip wears the uniform of a colonel-in-chief of the Royal Canadian Regiment. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press)

Book of condolences for His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh

Canadians are invited to sign and view the online book of condolences.

View the online book of condolences

Tributes in the Senate - April 20, 2021

Watch on Senate ParlVu

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