April 09, 2021
Prince Philip, the husband of Britain’s
Queen Elizabeth has died. The royal family said he was 99 years old on Friday.
The Duke of Edinburgh was Prince
Philip's official name. He had been by his wife’s side as she led the country
for 69 years. She has been queen longer than any other ruler in British
history.
The British royal family said in a
statement, “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces
the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of
Edinburgh.”
“His Royal Highness passed away
peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made
in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning
his loss.”
Philip was born into the royal families
of Greece and Denmark. His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and
his mother was Princess Alice of Battenberg. Philip married Elizabeth in 1947.
He helped to bring the British royal
family tradition into modern life after World War Two. In Buckingham Palace,
the official royal family home, he was said to be the one person the queen
could turn to and trust.
'My strength and stay'
“He has, quite simply, been my strength
and stay all these years,” Elizabeth said in a speech marking the 50th anniversary
of their marriage in 1997. “I, and his whole family, and this and many other
countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever
know.”
FILE
- In this June 19, 1962 file photo, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince
Philip travel by open carriage around the track prior to the race program, at
Ascot, England.
Philip spent four weeks in the hospital
earlier this year. He received treatment for an infection and had surgery
on his heart. He died just two months before he was to celebrate his 100th
birthday.
Buckingham Palace and government
buildings across Britain lowered their flags. There are no public details about
his funeral yet. But the ceremonies are likely be smaller and quieter than
usual for royal deaths. That would reflect Philip’s well-known dislike of a big
production.
At times, Philip was known for comments
considered as sexist and racist. The prince also completed more than 20,000
appearances as senior member of the royal family to help British interests at
home and around the world. He headed organizations that help others in need and
helped raise his four children, including Prince Charles, the heir to
the throne. Philip retired from public life in August 2017.
Gave up a military career
A former naval officer, Philip admitted
he found it hard to give up his military career to take on the job as the
queen's partner. The prince once said to his old friend that his job “first,
second and last — was never to let her
[the queen] down.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
said of Philip, “he helped to steer the royal family and the monarchy
so that it “remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and
happiness of our national life.”
The British opposition leader Keir
Starmer added, “He will be remembered most of all for his extraordinary
commitment and devotion to The Queen.”
I’m Jonathan Evans.
Michael Holden, William James and Andy
Bruce wrote this story for Reuters. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning
English with additional reporting from the Associated Press. Hai Do was the
editor.
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Words in This Story
sorrow – n. a feeling of sadness or grief caused
especially by the loss of someone or something
surgery – n.
medical treatment in which a doctor cuts into someone's body in order to repair
or remove damaged or diseased parts
heir - n. a person who has the right to become a king or
queen
throne - n. the special chair for king or queen
steer – v. to control the direction in which
something (such as a ship, car, or airplane) moves
monarchy – n. a form of government in which a country
is ruled by a monarch
vital – adj. extremely important
devotion – n. a feeling of strong love or loyalty :
the quality of being devoted
