UAE leaders send condolences to Queen Elizabeth II after the death of her husband Prince Philip

UAE ambassador to the UK also pays tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh

UAE leaders paid their condolences to Queen Elizabeth II on the death of her husband, Prince Philip.

His death, at the age of 99, was announced by Buckingham Palace on Friday afternoon.

President Sheikh Khalifa sent a telegram to the UK monarch on Friday, state news agency Wam reported.

Similar messages of sympathy were sent by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid also expressed his sympathies in a tweet describing the late Duke of Edinburgh as a close friend of the UAE.

"On behalf of people of UAE, I extend my sincere condolences to Queen Elizabeth II and the people of United Kingdom over the demise of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai tweeted.

"A close friend to the UAE and other nations, he will always be remembered for his devotion to his country and people."

On behalf of people of UAE, I extend my sincere condolences to Queen Elizabeth II & the people of United Kingdom over the demise of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.A close friend to the UAE & other nations, he will always be remembered for his devotion to his country and people pic.twitter.com/5Nzqvdypp7

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 9, 2021

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also tweeted his condolences.

My deepest condolences to HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH Prince Charles, the Royal Family, and the British people on the passing of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. May you be blessed with comfort and solace during these difficult times.

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) April 9, 2021

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who has been a constant presence at the Queen's side, was in hospital for a month after being admitted as a precautionary measure on February 16.

He was discharged on March 16 after treatment for an infection and successful surgery for a pre-existing heart condition.

The UAE ambassador to the UK also paid tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh.

I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the Queen and the British Royal Family on the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He will be remembered as a good friend to the UAE and a positive influence on causes such as sustainability and environmental protection. pic.twitter.com/Li9KZeYZ5A

— Mansoor Abulhoul (@MansoorAbulhoul) April 9, 2021

"I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the Queen and the British Royal Family on the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," Mansoor Abulhoul said on Twitter.

“He will be remembered as a good friend to the UAE and a positive influence on causes such as sustainability and environmental protection.”

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa offered his condolences to Queen Elizabeth over the passing of Prince Philip.

King Hamad praised Prince Philip’s service to Britain and its people, the Bahrain News Agency reported.

Philip, a Greek prince, married Elizabeth in 1947 and played a key role in modernising the British monarchy in the post-Second World War period.

They married five years before she became queen, and Philip is the longest-serving royal consort in British history.

Behind the walls of Buckingham Palace, he was the one key figure the queen could turn to and trust.

The couple had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

"He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years," Elizabeth said in a rare personal tribute to Philip, in a speech marking their 50th wedding anniversary in 1997.

Tributes to Prince Philip - in pictures

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The Honourable Artillery Company fires a gun salute at the Tower of London, with Tower Bridge in the background, to mark the death of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the age of 99. Getty Images