TRIBUTES have been paid from politicians and public figures across the United Kingdom and the world to the late Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday on June 10.

Closer to home, First Minister Arlene Foster led political tributes in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday morning.

Wearing all black as a mark of respect, Mrs. Foster touched on the Duke’s early life, his military service and his relationship with his uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was murdered by the Provisional IRA in Mullughmore in August, 1979.

The blast killed Lord Mountbatten; his grandson, Nicholas Knatchbull (14); boat boy, Fermanagh teenager Paul Maxwell (15); and Lady Doreen Brabourne.

Touching on Prince Philip's army service, the First Minister said: “He joined the fight against Fascism and put into practice the values that he would exemplify for the rest of his life: duty, loyalty and service."

Mrs Foster continued: “After the war, romance blossomed with his life partner, Queen Elizabeth. He was her bedrock as they served us, our country and our Commonwealth.

"All of this was carried out with dedication, humanity and humour; a sometimes blunt humour, which we got to appreciate here on the many occasions when he visited Northern Ireland.”

The First Minister commented on how Prince Phillip “redefined the role of a royal” and touched on some of the initiatives he was involved in.

She said: “His work with the World Wildlife Fund was literally decades ahead of its time, and more than two million young people have gained a Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

"Proudly, Northern Ireland boasts the highest participation levels in the award scheme in the United Kingdom.”

Mrs. Foster expressed her gratitude to the Duke of Edinburgh for his service as Consort to The Queen, and for fulfilling his pledge of service to The Queen on her coronation day.

She added: “He fulfilled his pledge, he kept his word, and we are all the better for it. That is our common debt to him.

"His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, truly had a life well lived to the full.”

The Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Diana Armstrong, also paid tribute to Prince Philip.

She said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, at the age of 99.

“While the Duke’s passing will have a profound effect on the country, we must also remember that he was a much-loved husband of some 73 years; a father, grandfather and great-grandfather; and he will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved him best.

“He has contributed so much to public life over the years, most notably as patron of many charities, including his own charity, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, of which many young people in our district have been recipients.

“The Duke was a frequent visitor to Northern Ireland, both in an official and personal capacity. He visited the district on several occasions, most notably when he accompanied The Queen to Omagh as part of her Golden Jubilee visit in 2002, stopping at the site of the Omagh Bombing.

"He visited in 2012, when he visited Enniskillen as part of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee tour, where The Queen and he both attended St. Macartin’s Cathedral before crossing the street to visit St. Michael’s Church.

"The Duke also accompanied The Queen when Her Majesty officially opened the South West Acute Hospital later that day.

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has opened an online Book of Condolence in memory of His Royal Highness Prince Philip.”

To add an entry to the book, see https://tinyurl.com/f6wju6t9. The Book of Condolence will be open until 5pm on Friday, April 23.

Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA Rosemary Barton said: " It is with profound sadness that many will have learned of the death His Royal Highness Prince Philip, not least here in Northern Ireland and in Fermanagh and Tyrone.

Prince Philip and Her Majesty the Queen visited Northern Ireland on numerous occasions and frequently a tour to Fermanagh and Tyrone was on the itinerary.

"I remember so well the excitement in Enniskillen when the Queen with Prince Philip by her side attended a service in St Macartan’s Cathedral in Enniskillen to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee tour of Northern Ireland.

"It is however through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, which he founded in 1956 that he will be remembered. This scheme was a huge part of the life of many young people growing up and was accessible to all, through schools, youth organisations and Churches.

"The encouragement given by their participation in this scheme, helped many thousands of young people build resilience and increase their confidence.

"It was as an assessor for this scheme that I had the pleasure of meeting His Royal Highness several times, he was a jovial man who on the occasions I met him had a joke or quick-witted comment for all.

"He was always keen to learn of the experiences of the young participants and visited Hillsborough Castle every year until 2017 to present the Gold Awards.

"So while we celebrate an incredible life of dedication, it is his devotion to his family that one is less familiar with. He was a father who was always available to sit and listen to the woes of his family and there to offer support and guidance to his children and grandchildren whenever necessary.

"On behalf of my constituents in Fermanagh and Tyrone I extend sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family."

Fermanagh TUV spokesperson Alex Elliott said: "May I on behalf of Fermanagh TUV Branch offer our deepest condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal family on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip.

Prince Philip had a lifetime of faithful service to our nation and the Commonwealth.

Like millions of others in the UK and across the the world TUV members will be remembering Her Majesty and family in prayer"