COUNCILLORS throughout north and west Cumbria have paid tribute to Prince Philip who has died aged 99.

The announcement was made by Buckingham Palace at noon today.

The statement read said: “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 made in due course.

Councillor Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council said: “This is indeed a sad day and a day of national, and international mourning.

"The duke’s dedication and steadfastness to the country leaves a legacy that will not be forgotten.

"I want to pass on my sympathy, and the sympathy of Cumbria, to the royal family whom we must also think of at this time of great personal loss”.

Chair of Cumbria County Council, councillor Christine Bowditch said: "“This is a day for national mourning as we come to terms with the death of Prince Philip.

"Our thoughts are of course with HM Queen Elizabeth, who has long been supported and cared for by this most loyal and supportive of Husbands: a man who showed her, and our country, unswerving commitment.

"She was able to count on his companionship throughout all and it is thanks to this union that we have seen years of steady and dedicated leadership from our Monarch.

"The duke will be sadly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with all those that had the pleasure to know him.”

Councillor Keith Little, county council cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: "I was never able to meet the gentleman but I think his service to the Queen was never in doubt.

"He promised allegiance to her as she did to the people and they kept their promise. It is very sad, I send the Queen and her family my condolences.

"He was a remarkable man who gave up his naval career to serve the country and we shoulds be very proud of him."

Councillor John Mallinson, leader of Carlisle City Council said: "I suppose given the duke's advanced years it was likely to happen sooner rather than later, though obviously it is still a shock as he has been around longer than most of us.

"He has been a great asset to the Queen and our thoughts are with Her Majesty and her family."

Councillor Andrew Connell, chairman of Eden District Council, said: "On behalf of the people of Eden I would like to pay tribute to Prince Philip for his lifetime of service ot the UK which he carried with energy and a sense of humour."

He added that the council was looking at how they could pay a formal tribute to Prince Philip in light of the Coronavirus restrictions.

Councillor Julie Laidlow, mayor of Cockermouth town council, said: "My sincerest concolences to the Queen and all her family.

"it came as a big shock."

Councillor Malcolm Grainger, deputy mayor of Allerdale Borough Council, said: "He was a good man, he did not do right in everyone's eyes but he did right with the Queen, he will be sorely missed.

"He showed that he was his own man which he showed at Lowther when he came for the pony driving, he was a character."

Councillor Hugh Branny, who represents Cleator Moor on Copeland Borough Council, is a former youth worker with the county council.

He said: "I am sure we all regret his passing especially as he was so close to reaching his target of 100.

"I met him to speak to on one occasion when I had responsibility for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards in west Cumbria.

"His awards were one of the finest things he could have done for challenging young people, they came on in leaps and bounds when they got experience of exhibitions.

"I could see them growing in stature."

HM lord-lieutenant for Cumbria, Mrs Claire Hensman said: "This is a day of great sadness as we mourn the death of The Duke of Edinburgh. 

"Prince Philip, until his retirement from most public engagements at the remarkable age of 99, was the mainstay of our Royal Family and we can be very grateful for his enduring and positive influence on our national life.

"Perhaps he will be best remembered for the ‘Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme’, something he started in 1956 and which has gone from strength to strength and stood the test of time. 

"It is a scheme that has enriched young people’s lives all over the world that is known and respected by millions, and with which he always maintained a very close involvement.

“The duke was well known to us locally here in Cumbria: a keen carriage driver, he was a regular competitor in our county.

"His list of patronages also extends to a number of Cumbrian organisations, particularly the two Outward Bound Trust centres, which he visited regularly.

"The duke will be greatly missed and our thoughts and sympathy are with Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family at this difficult and painful time.”