Prince Philip’s passing has attracted condolences from most royal houses around the world. The Norwegian king was quick to announce that in Norway they will fly the flag at half mast from the Royal Palace in Oslo on April 17th 2021, the day when the Duke of Edinburgh is buried. Now, the same message from Copenhagen. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has ordered that the flag be flown at half mast from Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen on Saturday in memory of Philip who was born Prince of Greece and Denmark.
The following statement was issued on Tuesday, April 13th by the Danish Royal Court: “Her Majesty the Queen has decided that on Saturday 17 April 2021, flags will be flown at half mast at Amalienborg on the occasion of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral. The prince’s funeral will take place from St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle at 16.00 Danish time. Prince Philip, who was born Prince of Greece and Denmark, died on 9 April. Prince Philip was 99 years old.”
On the same day as the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Margrethe of Denmark sent a personal message of condolence to Queen Elizabeth. The stament from the Danish Royal Court said: “Her Majesty The Queen has today sent personal condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in connection with the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip was born in 1921 as Prince of Greece and Denmark and was a great-grandchild of Danish King Christian IX. A portrait of Prince Philip was painted by the Australian-born artist Ralph Heimans in 2017. In the painting, Prince Philip wears the Danish Order of the Elephant.”
That the flag is flown at half-mast at the royal palaces in Oslo and Copenhagen is regarded as a great honour. It happens very rarely and only by direct order of the monarch. It is an honour reserved for relatives who were close to the ruling monarch.
