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President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin have led tributes to Britain’s Prince Philip.<\/p>\nPresident Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin have led tributes to Britain’s Prince Philip.<\/p>\n
Queen Elizabeth’s husband died at the age of 99, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach was among a number of Irish politicians to express their condolences after his death.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said: \u201cSaddened to hear of the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with Queen Elizabeth and the people of the United Kingdom at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said: \u201cI want to express sincere condolences to all British people on the sad passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur thoughts and solidarity are with you on a very sad day for the United Kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald said: \u201cSincere condolences to Queen Elizabeth and family on the death of her husband Prince Phillip.<\/p>\n
\u201cSympathies to those of a British identity on our island, for whom his death will be felt as a great loss.\u201d<\/p>\n
President Michael D Higgins also expressed his \u201cgreat sadness\u201d at the duke\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of the people of Ireland, I wish to convey my condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her children, her extended family and the people of the United Kingdom,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cFor over 60 years, and as husband to Britain\u2019s longest serving monarch, Prince Philip served the British people with an unfailing commitment and devotion to duty.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the course of his long service he frequently brought an air of informality to otherwise formal occasions.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis distinctive presence and unique sense of humor put participants at ease and always engaged those who encountered him.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrince Philip was a steadfast support to Queen Elizabeth II.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe accompanied the Queen on her many visits to Northern Ireland and also on her historic State Visit to Ireland in 2011.<\/p>\n
\u201cI recall with a special appreciation how welcome he made Sabina and I feel in 2014, when I was making the first State Visit by an Irish Head of State to the United Kingdom in 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy hope is that these visits in 2011 and 2014, which he shared, will continue to be symbols of what we share as neighbors in friendship, peace and a sustainable future.\u201d<\/p>\n