Boris Johnson leads tributes to 'father of the nation' Prince Philip

12 April 2021, 15:12 | Updated: 13 April 2021, 06:08

Boris Johnson's tribute to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

By Maddie Goodfellow

The Duke of Edinburgh "made this country a better place", Boris Johnson said as he led tributes in Parliament following the death of Prince Philip.

Boris Johnson told the Commons: "It is fitting that on Saturday his Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will be conveyed to his final resting place in a Land Rover which Prince Philip designed himself, with a long wheel base and capacious rear cabin.

"Because that vehicle's unique and idiosyncratic silhouette reminds the world that he was above all a practical man, who could take something very traditional - whether a machine or, indeed, a great national institution - and find a way by his own ingenuity to improve it, to adapt it for the 20th and 21st century."

The Prime Minister said Philip, through his achievements including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, had touched the lives of millions of people.

He said that "in due course" the House of Commons and the country would consider a "suitable memorial" to Philip, who died aged 99 on Friday.

Boris Johnson has paid tribute to Prince Philip
Boris Johnson has paid tribute to Prince Philip. Picture: PA

And speaking fondly of some of the Duke's famous slip-ups, Boris Johnson says the duke was "at once politically incorrect and ahead of his time". 

He says "the world did not hold it against him" because they "overwhelming understood" he was trying to break the ice and get people laughing.

READ MORE: Prince William says he will 'miss my Grandpa' in emotional tribute to Prince Philip

READ MORE: Prince Harry says Prince Philip was the 'legend of banter' in heartwarming memorial

Tributes have been paid by MPs to Prince Philip
Tributes have been paid by MPs to Prince Philip. Picture: PA

Mr Johnson said the Duke will be "remembered with gratitude and fondness for generations to come", although he believes he may have been "embarrassed" by tributes.

He said Prince Philip was a model of "selflessness and putting others before ourselves", and commented that he "made this country a better place".

And Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the duke "never let the Queen down".

Philip was "without doubt the father of the nation, and will sorely be missed and impossible to replace", the Speaker said.

SNP Westminster leader Iain Blackford pays tribute to Prince Philip

Boris Johnson said many people believe the Duke of Edinburgh had "touched their lives" in some way.

He told the Commons: "He had other novel ideas that touched the lives of millions, developed their character and confidence, their teamwork and self-reliance.

"It was amazing and instructive to listen on Friday to the Cabinet's tributes to the Duke and to hear how many of them were proud to say that they or their children had benefited from taking part in his Duke of Edinburgh's Award schemes.

"I will leave it to the House to speculate as to who claimed to have got a gold award and who got a bronze - but I believe those ministers spoke for millions around the world, across this country, who felt that the duke had in some way touched their lives.

"People whose work he supported in the course of an astonishing 22,219 public engagements, people he encouraged and people, yes, that he amused."

Sir Keir Starmer pays tribute to Prince Philip

The PM was joined in his tributes by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who said: "Prince Philip was a man of many titles. Duke of Edinburgh, Lord High Admiral, a royal commander, Baron of Greenwich. But above all, he was a much loved father, grandfather and great grandfather."

He then recounted his time undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh award as a teenager, saying his first activity was to volunteer in a mental health hospital, "where unbeknown to me at the time, my late granddad would later be admitted."

He then told the Commons: "My final activity was wandering around Dartmoor in a small team with a compass and a map in the pouring rain, frantic, trying to find our way.

"Mr Speaker, if that doesn't prepare you for coming into politics, nothing will."

Theresa May pays tribute to Prince Philip in Commons speech

The Labour leader also spoke of Philip's love of painting and recalled a cartoon published in recent days which he believed captured the moment of national and personal loss.

Sir Keir told MPs: "It depicted Her Majesty, dressed in black, looking back at her shadow and seeing the duke, standing there - as ever at her side, attentive and holding her hand.

"Britain will not be the same in his absence. For most of us, there's never been a time when the Duke of Edinburgh was not present. At every stage of our national story for the last seven decades, he has been there. A symbol of the nation we hope to be at our best. A source of stability. A rock.

"Her Majesty once said that 'grief is the price we pay for love'. The duke loved this country. And Britain loved him in return. That's why we grieve today."

Sir Keir said people must also celebrate the duke, adding: "A life lived in strong and vigorous brushstrokes. And we offer up this tribute: to the Duke Edinburgh, for a lifetime of public service - the Gold Award."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Donald Trump is reportedly considering joining Israel in attacking Iran, as officials say the US president is considering a US strike on the country.

Trump reportedly considering joining Israel in strikes on Iran, hours after claiming to know Khamenei’s location

The biggest lottery prize the UK has seen could still be won after Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw had no winners.

Single ticket holder wins largest ever EuroMillions jackpot prize at £208 million

Referee David Coote has been sacked.

Sacked Premier League referee David Coote charged by FA over ‘German c***’ Jurgen Klopp comments

Exclusive
Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attack, mourn as they carry the bodies to Nasser hospital for funeral procedures in Khan Yunis

Israeli Ambassador denies IDF is 'targeting civilians' as medics say 59 Palestinians killed by IDF at aid distribution centre

The man given a restraining order for stalking British number one Emma Raducanu has been caught trying to obtain tickets for this summer’s Wimbledon.

Emma Raducanu stalker caught trying to obtain Wimbledon tickets after tennis star was left 'shaken' by 'fixated' man

Eight-month-old Mabli had just said a final goodbye to her paternal grandmother Betty Hall, who was receiving end-of-life care at the Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Driver who ran over and killed eight-month-old baby in pram has sentence cut

Exclusive
UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

Abortion rights actvists gather outside the parliament in support of decriminalisation.

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in historic Commons vote

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is placed under arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and FBI agents outside federal immigration court on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in New York.

New York mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested and detained by ICE amid Donald Trump's immigration crackdown

Trump not planning to attack Iran, Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Trump 'not planning to attack Iran', Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Dame Katherine Grainger

Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger and former Cabinet Secretary Simon Case given peerages

Matheus Cunha signs his Manchester United contract

When does the summer 2025 transfer window open and close?

Iranian soldiers in Tehran. The country has one of the strongest armies in the Middle East

Does Iran have nuclear weapons and what is its military capability?

UK's first women-only tower block to open in west London next summer.

UK's first women-only tower block to open in west London next summer providing 'lifeline' to domestic abuse survivors

Screen grab taken from PA video of Katie Wallis (left) leaving Cardiff Magistrates' Court after they pleaded guilty to the harassment of their ex-wife, Rebecca Wallis.

Former Conservative MP pleads guilty to harassing ex-wife

Man, 49, who 'went crazy' after taking crack cocaine jailed for 39 years following Christmas Day double murder

Man, 49, who 'went crazy' after taking crack cocaine jailed for 39 years following Christmas Day double murder