Published on Friday 09 April 2021
Today across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, we mourn the loss of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Cllr David Flagg, Chairman of BCP Council, said: "The people of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and all of us at BCP Council, are saddened by the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen and the wider Royal family at this difficult time.
"The Duke of Edinburgh has visited our towns on a number of occasions over the past 70 years. In 1966, he accompanied The Queen when they visited Bournemouth Gardens, Christchurch town centre and the Christchurch Priory. Another notable visit from The Duke was to Poole in 1969, when The Queen opened Poole Hospital. Their 2004 visit began in Bournemouth with a visit to King’s Park and Bournemouth seafront. The Royal couple then continued on to The Lighthouse in Poole, followed by a tour of the new RNLI Training College. Thousands of residents lined Poole Quay as the Royals left the town on a lifeboat.
"Many local people who are still resident in our area will have attended these historic events and will treasure their own recollections of those days.
As a mark of respect union flags at Bournemouth Town Hall, Christchurch Civic Offices, and Poole Civic Centre, are being flown at half-mast.
Further arrangements including information on messages of condolence will be issued in due course.