Tributes have poured in across Hampshire after the news that the Duke of Edinburgh has died.

Buckingham Palace announced in a statement yesterday that Prince Philip had “passed away peacefully” at Windsor Castle.

After the news, councillors, MPs and organisations took to their websites and social media pages to pay their respects.

Flags were flown at half-mast across the county, with members of the public encouraged to donate to charity in memory of the Duke, who was a patron, president or member of more than 780 organisations and charities.

Southampton Itchen MP, Royston Smith said: “Such sad news. HRH, Duke of Edinburgh, has been a father figure to us all. RIP Prince Philip.”

Other MPs also quickly took to social media to pay their respects with Paul Holmes, MP for Eastleigh saying that Prince Philip’s death is a “deep loss.”

He added: “My deep condolences to HM The Queen and the Royal Family. I once had the privilege of meeting Prince Philip, cheeky, mischievous and charming with public service running through his veins.”

The Bishop of Winchester, the Right Reverend Dr Tim Dakin, branded Prince Philip a “great statesman and a beloved member of our Royal Family”.

He continued: “As the senior Royal Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Prince Philip led others in exemplifying everything the Garter stood for in terms of outstanding service to the nation. This is a great loss for the country, for the whole Commonwealth, and above all for Her Majesty and the Royal Family; my thoughts and prayers are with them all.”

Those who had met The Duke also spoke out yesterday with Roy Perry, Romsey Rural County Councillor, Former MEP and Former Vice President Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme offering his “sincere condolences to Her Majesty and his family”.

He said: “I was fortunate to meet him a number of times and was honoured when the Lord Lieutenant asked me to become one of the Vice Presidents of the Hampshire Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

“I once had the privilege and pleasure to join him at his table for a charity lunch and got a flash of his sense of humour. After the Loyal Toast one of the guests at our table leaned over to the Duke and said we should also drink a toast to your Royal Highness. He said ‘Please do- I am living proof that these toasts work!’”

Councillors were also quick to send out statements with Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Keith Mans, saying: “Hampshire County Council extends our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family.

“Our county has great pride in its royal associations, with a strong history of connections to the monarchy. Over the years, Hampshire has had the privilege of welcoming His Royal Highness, on many visits to our county, and we now remember with warmth and fondness these treasured memories.”

The Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Chairman of Hampshire County Council, and County Council Leader will lay flowers outside Winchester’s Great Hall at midday on Saturday.  

Mayor of Eastleigh, Councillor Darshan Mann, said: “His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited the Borough on a number of occasions and he will be remembered fondly by all who met him. We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family.”

Chairman of New Forest District Council, Cllr Allan Glass, said: “On behalf of the New Forest District, I am deeply saddened by the announcement from Buckingham Palace this afternoon of the death of HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.”

Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Martin Hatley, added: “HRH served The Commonwealth with passion, commitment and integrity, supporting and providing wise counsel to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for many decades.

“His Royal Highness also had close links to the borough and to The Broadlands Estate in Romsey where he spent his honeymoon with Her Majesty The Queen.”