FLAGS at fire stations and council buildings in Herefordshire are being flown at half-mast this afternoon after the death of Prince Philip, age 99.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said union flags would be lowered to half-mast until further notice as a mark of respect.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the Duke of Edinburgh's death at midday on Friday, with tributes from royal families and political leaders across the world.

Only Fool and Horses star John Challis, who lives in north Herefordshire, tweeted: "What a very sad day.Good night sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

The chairman of Herefordshire Council also paid tribute.

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"Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this sad time," Councillor Sebastian Bowen, chairman of Herefordshire Counci, said.

"The flags across the county are being flown at half-mast as a sign of our greatest respect, and there will be books of remembrance located throughout Herefordshire to commemorate and celebrate fond memories of Prince Philip throughout his life. 

“We first welcomed The Duke of Edinburgh to Herefordshire in 1957 when he accompanied the Queen on her first visit to the county as Queen and they have both visited us on several occasions since then.

"The last occasion was their visit on July 11, 2012 during Her Majesty’s celebration of her Diamond Jubilee, which will be a permanent memory for the people of Herefordshire.

"The Duke has always been such a marvellous consort to the Queen throughout the decades, helping to make the world envious of the British monarchy, which is without equal."

Coun Bowen said The Duke of Edinburgh, when a young Naval Officer stationed on Malta was introduced to Polo by Lord Mountbatten, who was a great exponent of the game and wrote a classic manual on Polo.

He said the Duke became a fine player with a very good handicap of four. He was a member of many winning teams. After Polo, the Duke took up Carriage Driving, very successfully.

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"He was skilled, brave and very determined and won many Championships and represented Great Britain," Coun Bowen added.

"He drove a team of the Queen's ponies to many successes. His enthusiastic participation greatly raised the profile of Carriage Driving.

“We owe The Duke a great debt of gratitude for the way he dedicated his life to be at the Queen’s side at thousands of visits in their service of our country and the whole of the Commonwealth.

"The way he supported the nation’s young people mature into responsible adulthood through his innovative Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme was a marvellous inspiration for many young people.

"I know that The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme has changed, greatly for the better, the lives of thousands of young people and taught them to believe in themselves and to learn that serving other people is the greater glory.

“He will be sorely missed, not only by the Royal family and his friends, but also by the nation as a whole.”

European royal families have paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, remembering him as a “great friend” who “never ceased to leave an unforgettable impression”.

The Dutch royal family offered its “heartfelt sympathy” to the Queen.

The official Twitter account of the Royal House of the Netherlands posted a message from King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix.

They said: “It is with great respect that we remember His Royal Highness Prince Philip.

“Throughout his long life, he committed himself with dedication to the British people and to his many duties and responsibilities.

“His lively personality never ceased to leave an unforgettable impression.

“Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy goes out to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and all the members of the Royal Family.”

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden said in a statement that Philip remained “an inspiration to us all”.

He said: “The Queen and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

“Prince Philip has been a great friend of our family for many years, a relation which we have deeply valued.

“His service to his country will remain an inspiration to us all.

“We offer our sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen, the royal family and the people of the United Kingdom.”

The Belgian Royal Palace said it was “deeply saddened” by Philip’s death, tweeting a tribute along with photos of the family with Philip.

“Deeply saddened by the passing away of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the palace said.

“We wish to express our deepest condolences to Her Majesty The Queen, the British Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom.

“Philippe and Mathilde.”