CIVIC representatives from across the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch have paid their respects to the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip following his death last week.
Prince Philip, husband of the Queen Elizabeth II, and the longest-serving royal consort in British history, died in Windsor Castle at the age of 99 on the morning of Friday April 9, two months before his 100th birthday.
Ahead of his televised ceremonial royal funeral, which will be held at St George's Chapel, at 3pm on Saturday April 17, the Chairman of BCP Council and the three Mayors have offered their condolences.
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Cllr David Flagg, Chairman of BCP Council, said: “The people of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and all of us at BCP Council, are saddened by the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen, and the wider Royal family at this difficult time.
"The Duke of Edinburgh has visited our towns on a number of occasions over the past 70 years. Many local people who are still resident in our area will have attended these historic events and will treasure their own recollections of those days."
In 1966, the Duke of Edinburgh accompanied The Queen when they visited Bournemouth Gardens, Christchurch town centre and the Christchurch Priory.
Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Lesley Dedman said: “As Mayor of Christchurch I send the condolences of our Town to the Queen and all the Royal Family upon the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
“The Duke has visited Christchurch and our historic Priory, and our residents treasure our memories of him.
“The work the Duke took on for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and in particular setting up of his Duke of Edinburgh Award for our young people has enriched many lives and will never be forgotten. In his passing we have all lost a very great man."
Another notable visit from The Duke was to Poole in 1969, when The Queen opened Poole Hospital.
“I’m sure all the Charter Trustees of Poole would want to join me in expressing our sadness at the news of the death of HRH Prince Philip last Friday,” said the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Marion Le Poidevin.
She added: “Our thoughts are with Her Majesty the Queen and all the members of his family at this time of loss.
“We all share in sadness but also thankfulness for his great contribution to the life of this country.
The Queen and Prince Philip’s most recent visit in 2004 began in Bournemouth with a visit to King’s Park and Bournemouth seafront.
The Royal couple then continued on to The Lighthouse in Poole, followed by a tour of the new RNLI Training College.
Thousands of residents lined Poole Quay as the Royals left the town on a lifeboat.
Mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr Susan Phillip said: “On behalf of the Bournemouth Charter Trustees, I offer sincere condolences to Her Majesty and the entire Royal Family.
“His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was devoted to his family and his sense of duty to the public.
“His passing is a terrible loss and has left a huge void, not only for Her Majesty and the family, but also throughout the United Kingdom and the whole Commonwealth.”
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