TRIBUTES for Prince Philip continue to pour in following the launch an online book of condolence at Warwickshire County Council (WCC).
The council’s Conservative leader Coun Izzi Seccombe said: “It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
“We must be inspired and grateful for the very many years of selfless dedication and personal sacrifice he has given to public service. The nation and beyond is grateful for his unstinting support to Her Majesty, The Queen.
“Our deepest sympathies go to his family and to Her Majesty The Queen at this time of personal loss.
Labour Group leader Coun Helen Adkins said: “I send our sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and her family on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
“The Duke dedicated his life to the service of this country and the commonwealth, and was a steadfast support to the Queen throughout their 70 year marriage.
“The Duke was at the forefront of many community service initiatives such as the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, which helped many young people on their way in life. He was also a dedicated advocate for the environment and the protection of wildlife, as well as other important societal issues.
“Our thoughts are with Her Majesty the Queen and her family at this sad time. May he rest in peace.
Liberal Democrat Group leader Coun Jerry Roodhouse said: “We place on record our sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and her family on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
“The legacy that the Duke of Edinburgh has left will continue, especially the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme which has helped so many young people, his true dedication to the service of public life and the commonwealth and supporting his wife the Queen for over 70 years of marriage.
“He will be remembered, and his legacy will live on. Thank you for your dedication and rest in peace.”
Coun Alan Cockburn, the chairman of the council, has also written to the Queen and the Royal Family offering condolences.
Communities are invited to sign the book on Warwickshire County Council’s website which will be retained in its archives for future generations to read, and passed to the Palace in due course.
The authority is also planning a way to bring communities together in the near future, once restrictions allow, to pay tribute to His Royal Highness.
Flags across the county are also flying half mast this week until the day after the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral on Saturday (April 17).
The Duke, who died on Friday (April 9), visited the county on a number of occasions alongside the Queen, most recently in 2011 when they officially opened the Warwickshire Justice Centre in Leamington. They also opened the transformed Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre in Stratford.
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/bookofcondolence to sign the book of condolence.
