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Prince Philip: Royal Family shares Queen's moving golden wedding anniversary tribute to Duke of Edinburgh

Her Majesty said the UK and "many other countries" owed the duke "a debt greater than he would ever claim" in the remarks.

The Queen and Prince Philip arrive for lunch to mark their golden wedding anniversary in 1997
Image: The Queen and Prince Philip arrive for lunch to mark their golden wedding anniversary in 1997
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The Royal Family has shared the Queen's moving golden wedding anniversary tribute to Prince Philip a day after his death.

In a tweet, the Royal Family posted a picture of the couple and the quote from 1997, saying: "He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know."

The Royal Family shared a second Twitter post minutes later which shows Philip with the Queen at her coronation in 1953.

The tweet reads: "The Duke of Edinburgh swore to be Her Majesty's 'liege man of life and limb.'

"The Duke was a devoted consort (companion to the Sovereign) for almost 70 years, from Her Majesty's Accession in 1952 until his death."

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Prince Edward and his wife Sophie were seen arriving at Windsor Castle by car at around 11am today.

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The Countess of Wessex had tears in her eyes and said "the Queen has been amazing" as the couple left the grounds around an hour later.

They were departing as gun salutes marking Philip's death began in London, Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh at midday.

The Queen and Prince Philip raise a toast as they mark 50 years of marriage
Image: The Queen and Prince Philip raise a toast as they mark 50 years of marriage
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie arrive at Windsor Castle
Image: Prince Edward and his wife Sophie arrive at Windsor Castle

Gun salutes are also taking place aboard some Royal Navy ships and in Gibraltar.

Some 41 rounds will being fired at locations around the UK at a rate of one shot per minute.

Meanwhile, flags will fly at half-mast around the country.

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Queen Elizabeth II is seen while kneeling with her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edingburgh, at  St. Pauls's Cathedral, Parish Church of the City of London, during her Silver Jubilee celebrations on June7, 1977. (AP-PHOTO/POOL)
Image: Prince Philip is seen with the Queen during her Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977

The duke had strong military links, including serving with the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

Members of the public have been urged not to leave flowers as tributes at royal residences to prevent crowds forming during the pandemic.

The government has warned people to continue following coronavirus rules in the wake of the royal death, and not gather at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.

However, hundreds of people have already travelled to the royal residences.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, pose in the grounds of Sandringham House, Norfolk, Feb. 4, 1982, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession the the throne. (AP Photo/Pool)
Image: The Queen and Prince Philip are seen together in the grounds of Sandringham House in 1982

A tribe on the remote island of Vanuatu which hailed Prince Philip as a god is expected to mark his death with ritual wailing and ceremonial dancing.

The villagers believed the Duke of Edinburgh to be a reincarnation of an ancient warrior who left the archipelago to fight a war.

Philip had maintained a respectful 50-year relationship with the tribe before his death on Friday.