Following the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, The Most Revd John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland said:

‘With profound sympathy for Her Majesty the Queen, I wish to express my sincere condolences to her and her whole family on the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Her Majesty’s sense of loss must be very great after over seventy years of unbroken love and friendship.

‘In remembering and reflecting on a life of service, including as a Naval Officer in the Second World War, we recall his exemplary sense of duty to the nation and Commonwealth over seven decades and, most especially, his love, honour and obedience to Her Majesty.

‘Prince Philip accepted and developed a unique role in the life of the United Kingdom, always closely supporting the Queen as her “liege man of life and limb”, and continuing to serve in an active public life which continued long after many would have sought to lay aside a heavy burden of public service. My prayers will be with the Royal Family in the days to come.’

The Rt Revd David McClay, Bishop of Down and Dromore, added:

‘We in the Diocese of Down and Dromore join with Archbishop John and many others in praying for Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family upon the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

‘Prince Philip was a man of many accomplishments and in particular, I would like to pay tribute to the work of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme which he founded. Over many years, countless young people within our diocese benefitted from the scheme and gained self–confidence and a sense of purpose through it.

‘I am grateful for Prince Philip’s legacy in the lives of our young leaders which will bear fruit for many years to come.’