WEST Dorset MP Chris Loder has released a statement following the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh today (Friday).

The Royal Family announced today that Prince Philip – the Queen's husband of 73 years – died this morning aged 99.

West Dorset Mp Chris Loder said: "It is with the deepest sorrow that we learn of Prince Philip's passing.

"I have today written to Her Majesty the Queen on behalf of all of us here in West Dorset, to send her and the Royal Family our deepest sympathies on the passing of her husband, Prince Philip.

"I am so desperately sorry for the Queen in her loss and hope that she will be sustained at this time with the love and affection of so many here in Dorset.

"God save the Queen."

The death of Prince Philip, aged 99, was announced at noon today (Friday, April 9)

The prince married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen, and was the longest-serving royal consort in British history.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."

Prince Philip and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.

Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on 10 June 1921.

His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, a younger son of King George I of the Hellenes.

His mother, Princess Alice, was a daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.