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God Save the Queen.

Phillip certainly had his flaws, and it only takes a glance at Twitter to discover them, but ultimately I believe over the nearly 7 decades since Elizabeth acceded to the throne he has made an immeasurable positive difference not only to the UK but the Commonwealth and the many independent nations that emerged from the fall of colonialism.

Personally, the prospect of being a subject of King Charles III is somewhat concerning, and I do not hold the same trust in him as I do my sovereign lady Elizabeth, but ultimately Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh were and will remain for centuries, an iconic force in Britain society and culture. Elizabeth II is the longest-serving British monarch in history, and the longest-reigning monarch alive today, and she will rightly take her place alongside King Henry VII and Queen Victoria in the history books as one of Britain's greatest and most iconic monarchs. I would say this is a commonly felt standpoint in Britain, we are not necessarily endeared to the institution of the Monarchy, but we are endeared to our current Monarch.

The Duke had an impact on my life, my Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards have helped me secure part time work around school, and other opportunities I may have missed out on otherwise. And he was the Royal Patron of the Air Training Corps from 1952 when King George VI died, to 2015 when the Duchess of Cambridge succeeded him. So perhaps I may be somewhat biased, but ultimately the impact he must have had over the many years since the Queen's accession in 1952 is incomprehensible. Therefore the globe, and world leaders are rightly mourning his loss.

President Biden said "Over the course of his 99-year life, he saw our world change dramatically and repeatedly. From his service during World War II, to his 73 years alongside the Queen, and his entire life in the public eye — Prince Philip gladly dedicated himself to the people of the UK, the Commonwealth, and to his family. The impact of his decades of devoted public service is evident in the worthy causes he lifted up as patron, in the environmental efforts he championed, in the members of the Armed Forces that he supported, in the young people he inspired, and so much more. His legacy will live on not only through his family, but in all the charitable endeavors he shaped."

Even former President Trump said "This is an irreplaceable loss for Great Britain, and for all who hold dear our civilization, Prince Philip defined British dignity and grace. He personified the quiet reserve, stern fortitude, and unbending integrity of the United Kingdom ... We saw firsthand how the Monarchy epitomizes and carries on the virtues of the British People—and no one did so more than Prince Philip.".

It's not often I agree with USS, but this is one of those times.

May His Royal Highness rest in peace, and God Save The Queen.