The Chief of the Defence Staff has paid tribute to Prince Philip, who has died aged 99.
The Duke of Edinburgh passed away on Friday morning at Windsor Castle.
General Sir Nick Carter said: "It is with great sadness that we heard of the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh this morning.
"His Royal Highness has been a great friend, inspiration and role model for the Armed Forces and he will be sorely missed.
"The Duke of Edinburgh served among us during the Second World War, and he remained devoted to the Royal Navy and the Armed Forces as a whole.
"His candour and his humour made many a serviceman and servicewoman chuckle on the countless visits that he made to the Armed Forces."
The Chief of the Defence Staff continued: "He cared deeply about the values, standards and sense of service embodied in the military ethos. He was an immensely popular figure, and he was hugely respected by us all."
Prince Philip chats with veterans during the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, November 2015 (Picture: Crown Copyright).Prince Philip takes the controls in the cockpit of an Apache Attack helicopter, October 2014 (Picture: Crown Copyright).Prince Philip salutes during a remembrance service in London, November 2015 (Picture: Crown Copyright).Prince Philip unveils a plaque in his honour at MPD Lyneham, March 2016.The Duke of Edinburgh presents the Grenadier Guards with a football trophy, March 2017.Prince Philip lays a wreath during the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, November 2015 (Picture: Crown Copyright).Prince Philip watches the Massed Bands and Bugles of the Rifles at the Sound Retreat on Horse Guards Parade, June 2016.A smile from the Duke of Edinburgh, as events took place in London to mark the 70th anniversary of VJ Day, August 2015.Prince Philip chats with soldiers from 1 Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Munster Barracks, Catterick, after returning from Operation Herrick in Afghanistan, May 2013.The then-Captain General of the Royal Marines, Prince Philip takes the salute from the Commando Logistics Regiment during a home-coming parade in Barnstaple, Devon, November 2011.The Duke of Edinburgh shares a joke with the Commanding Officer and soldiers of the Queen's Royal Hussars Battle Group at Basra Air Station in Iraq, October 2006.Prince Philip during his final public engagement in August 2017.Prince Philip during his time as a Royal Navy officer (Picture: PA).Prince Philip in 1945 sporting a beard (Picture: TopFoto/PA Images).The Duke of Edinburgh speaking to personnel during a Rifles handover ceremony in 2020 (Picture: PA).The Duke of Edinburgh speaking to personnel during a Rifles handover ceremony in 2020 (Picture: PA).The Duke of Edinburgh being saluted on board HMS Magpie in 1952 (Picture: Royal Navy).Prince Philip at Coldstream Guards Sergeants Mess in 1953 (Picture: MOD).Prince Philip in uniform at 2011 Trooping the Colour (Picture: MOD).Prince Philip in 2017 during his final public engagement (Picture: MOD).The Duke met Royal Marines cadets during his final public engagement in 2017 (Picture: MOD).The then-Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, in Royal Navy uniform in 1947 (Picture: Everett Collection/Alamy).Prince Philip during Trooping the Colour in 2012 (Picture: Newsphoto/Alamy).The Duke of Edinburgh in uniform (Picture: World History Archive/Alamy).The Queen and Prince Philip during the 1963 Trooping the Colour (Picture: Michele and Tom Grimm/Alamy).
The Duke served for more than a decade in the Royal Navy, including in the Second World War when he was mentioned in dispatches.
General Sir Nick Carter added: "He completed nearly 14 years' active service with distinction. He was a gallant officer whose wartime career included escorting troops between Australia and Egypt and the Battle of Cape Matapan as part of the Mediterranean Fleet, for which he was Mentioned in Despatches for 'bravery and enterprise'. And he was present at the surrender of Japan in 1945.
"A life well lived, His Royal Highness leaves us with a legacy of indomitable spirit, steadfastness and an unshakeable sense of duty.
"From all of us who serve today and who have served, thank you. Our thoughts and goodwill are very much with Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family at this sad time."
Cover image: Prince Philip meeting Royal Marines cadets during his final public engagement in August 2017 (Picture: MOD).
