Arab leaders pay tribute to Prince Philip

Leaders from across the Arab World offered their condolences to the Queen of the United Kingdom following the death of her husband Prince Philip on Friday.

MENA

4 min read

The New Arab Staff

10 April, 2021

Prince Philip visited Bahrain in 1979 [Getty]

Arab leaders joined a chorus of condolences from around the world over the death of Prince Philip on Friday at the age of 99.

Prince Philip, the longest serving royal consort in British history, who was a constant presence at Queen Elizabeth II's side for decades, died on Friday, Buckingham Palace announced.

The death of the Duke of Edinburgh is a profound loss for the 94-year-old monarch, who once described him as her "strength and stay all these years".

The Queen announced the death of her beloved husband "with deep sorrow" in a short statement, which said he passed away peacefully in the morning at Windsor Castle, west of London.

"The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss," it added.

Leaders from across the world offered condolences to Queen Elizabeth II and the British Royal Family.

Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain

Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman gave their condolences to the Queen and Prince Charles on Friday.

"We have received with great sadness the news of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and we express to Your Majesty, the royal family and the friendly people of the United Kingdom our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy," the king said in a cable, according to Saudi reports.

Separate messages were also sent to the Prince of Wales, reports added.

The UAE and Bahrain also offered their condolences.

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan sent a cable of condolences to the Queen, according to local reports.

Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan also sent similar cables of condolences.

Sheikh Mohammed sent a personal message on Twitter.

"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," he said.

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

Bahrain's King Hamad also sent a cable to the Queen, extending profound condolences and consolation to the royal family and to the British government, according to local reports.

Qatar and Oman

Emir Tamim bin Hamad of Qatar and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman also gave their condolences to the British Royal Family.

"My sincere condolences and sympathies to Her Majesty The Queen, the Royal Family and the British people on the loss of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," the Qatari emir wrote on Twitter.

— تميم بن حمد (@TamimBinHamad) April 9, 2021 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post

My sincere condolences and sympathies to Her Majesty The Queen, the Royal Family and the British people on the loss of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
— تميم بن حمد (@TamimBinHamad) April 9, 2021

A statement carried by the Oman News Agency said, "His Majesty the Sultan, Haitham bin Tarik sent a cable of condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II".

Jordan and Iraq

King Abdullah of Jordan "expressed condolences on behalf of the people and government of Jordan to Queen Elizabeth, the royal family, and the people of the UK, paying tribute to the legacy of the Duke of Edinburgh", Petra News Agency reported.

Iraqi President Barham Salih also expressed his condolences.

"We have received with great sadness and sorrow the news of the death of [Prince Philip]," the Iraq News Agency (INA) quoted him as saying.

"In the name of the Iraqi people, and in my own name, I offer you my deepest condolences and sincere sympathy," Salih told the Queen in a telegram.

The UK Royal Family has had a controversially close relationship with monarchies in the Middle East in recent years, some of which have come under fire for their human rights records.

Earlier this year the Declassified UK reported that members of the British royal family had met with representatives of Middle Eastern monarchies over 200 times since 2011, when the Arab Spring began.

This is the equivalent of one meeting every two weeks.

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