Living U.S. Presidents Pay Tribute to Prince Philip, Who 'Defined British Dignity'

Often with Prince Philip at her side, Queen Elizabeth II met 12 U.S. presidents as monarch. Every living president has paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh after his death at the age of 99.

The current president, Joe Biden, described Biden as a "heck of a guy" and praised his "lifetime of service."

"I think he's going to be missed, particularly in the United Kingdom. Ninety-nine years old, he never slowed down at all. Which I admire the devil out of," Biden said.

His predecessor Donald Trump, who last visited the royal family in 2019, described him as "a man who embodied the noble soul and proud spirit of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth."

"Prince Philip defined British dignity and grace," he said. "He personified the quiet reserve, stern fortitude, and unbending integrity of the United Kingdom."

During a visit to the U.K. in 2016, Barack Obama was driven by Prince Philip to lunch at Windsor Castle.

Obama and his wife Michelle said in a statement that "the Queen and Prince Philip immediately put us at ease with their grace and generosity, turning a ceremonial occasion into something far more natural, even comfortable.

"Prince Philip in particular was kind and warm, with a sharp wit and unfailing good humor. It was our first introduction to the man behind the title, and in the years since, our admiration for him has only grown."

Former Republican President George W. Bush praised the duke's devotion "to worthy causes and to others" and said that "he represented the United Kingdom with dignity and brought boundless strength and support to the sovereign."

Meanwhile, former Democratic President Bill Clinton and his wife, the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said in a statement they had met Prince Philip and the Queen a number of times.

They described how they "had enjoyed every opportunity we had to visit with him through the years" adding that they will "always be deeply grateful for the kindness he showed us."

A tweet from the presidential library of the oldest living president, Jimmy Carter, was accompanied by an image of him with the Queen, Philip and other royals in London in 1977 before a state dinner. It said: "We are sorry to hear that Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has passed away."

On Saturday, the Duke of Edinburgh's passing was marked by a series of gun salutes in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast as well as other cities throughout the U.K. In a further mark of respect, silence was also held before major sporting events throughout the country.