Duterte sends condolences to Britain’s royal family

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has extended his condolences to the United Kingdom (UK) and members of the royal family following the passing of Britain’s Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth 2.

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, passed away on Friday at the age of 99. His death was announced by Buckingham Palace.

“On behalf of the Filipino people, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte extends his deep condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2 on the passing of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a statement.

Roque said the Philippines joined the UK in mourning the passing of the prince, who would’ve turned 100 on June 10.

“The Philippines and the United Kingdom have strong bilateral ties and we share the grief of the British people in this period of bereavement,” he said.

The Palace official hoped the Royal Family would find strength to go on after Prince Philip’s death.

“We pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for The Royal Family to find strength in this time of mourning,” Roque added.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. offered his sympathies over the passing of Prince Philip.

“Dear Ambassador Pruce, deepest sympathies for the loss of the British people and the grief of Her Majesty,” Locsin tweeted on Friday, addressing British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce.

The UK envoy commented on Twitter: “Thank you Mr Secretary.”

Locsin, in another tweet, mentioned that the Philippines could “never have monarchy,” like that of the UK.

“The only thing royal in the Philippines is a brand of spaghetti. Why we must stick to democracy and its ceaseless rotation; Cory was right; one term is more than enough,” he said, referring to the late president Corazon Aquino under whose term he served as her press secretary.

The Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving consort in British history, was hospitalized in February for a heart procedure. He returned to Windsor Palace in March.

Prince Philip married then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947. Five years later, she became queen after her father’s death. He retired from public duties in 2017.

The couple has four children – Prince Charles, the heir to the throne; Princess Anne; and Princes Andrew and Edward.