A NATIONAL period of mourning has been declared after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Buckingham Palace announced Prince Philip's passing, aged 99, at midday today (Friday).

Tributes have flooded across the nation as well as the memories from the years of service to his wife, The Queen, the country and the Commonwealth.

The Queen and Prince Philip visited Congleton in 1972 as part of the town's 700 Charter Year celebrations.

Paying tribute, a spokesperson for Congleton Town Council, said: "On behalf of our residents, Congleton Town Council offers deepest sympathies to the Royal Family on the passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

"Flags at Congleton Town Hall have been lowered to half-mast and the Town Mayor, Councillor Sally Ann Holland has written to the Queen on behalf of the town.

"Cheshire East Council will be opening an online book of condolence for all its residents and people will be encouraged to add their comments to the book."

Reacting to the passing of Prince Philip, Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, said: "I and all in my office extend our heartfelt prayers for Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family on the news that His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh has passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

"He was a devoted consort and public servant, who gave his life to our country, and his legacy will live on for generations.

"My office joins with the country and the wider Commonwealth to mourn his loss."

The announcement from the Royal Family said: "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

"The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute when he said: "We mourn today with Her Majesty the Queen. We offer our condolences to her, to her family. And we give thanks, as a nation, and a kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh."

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 June 10, 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.