President Bush on Prince Philip: “He devoted himself to worthy causes and to others”

Former US President George W. Bush has released a statement following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. The former US leader said that Prince Philip “devoted himself to worthy causes and to others.”

Bush expressed his condolences alongside his wife, former First Lady Laura Bush, saying: “Laura and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Throughout his long and remarkable life, he devoted himself to worthy causes and to others.”

He added that the Duke of Edinburgh “brought boundless strength and support” to The Queen and that he “represented the United Kingdom with dignity and brought boundless strength and support to the sovereign.”

President Bush continued: “Laura and I are fortunate to have enjoyed the charm and wit of his company, and we know how much he will be missed. We join those around the world offering heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the entire Royal Family.”

President Bush met the Duke while serving as the 43rd President of the United States when he stayed at Buckingham Palace on the invitation of The Queen during a 2003 state visit to the United Kingdom and when he and The Queen visited Washington in 2006 and 2007. He also spent time with him at events like the 2005 G8 Summit.

In 1993, The Queen made Bush’s father, former President George H. W. Bush, a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath. The elder Bush passed away in 2018.