TRIBUTES have been paid to His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh by civic leaders across the New Forest.

His death was announced last Friday.

New Forest District Council chairman, Councillor Allan Glass gave a speech followed by a two minute silence in honour of The Duke of Edinburgh during a meeting of the council on Monday.

He said: “Our district has great pride in its royal associations, with a strong history of connections to the monarchy. The district has had the privilege of welcoming His Royal Highness on many visits over the years, which we now remember with warmth and fondness.”

Cllr Glass laid flowers alongside the Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire, Hallam Mills during a private ceremony at Appletree Court.

In the summer of 2012, Prince Philip accompanied the Queen to the New Forest Show. The New Forest Agricultural Show Society in a statement said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of his death

This was echoed by Fordingbridge-based charity the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, whom Prince Philip was a Patron of since 1973, having previously been president for eight years.

Teresa Dent CBE, the Trust’s chief executive, said: “HRH was our Patron since 1973, having previously been President for eight years, so his involvement spanned 57 years. His wildlife conservation credentials have rightly been lauded at a global scale. At home, the Sandringham Estate, he masterminded a now classic, and impressive, combination of wildlife conservation and wild game management alongside commercial farming. He made extensive use of the GWCT’s research and advice in doing that, and many years ago initiated a broad annual ecological monitoring programme to understand thoroughly the benefits of that management.

“He was a very knowledgeable naturalist with a deep love of the wider countryside and all country sports – regularly making contact with our upland researchers when at Balmoral.”

“The Trust, its staff and trustees will miss his contribution enormously” the tribute added.

New Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne said on Twitter Prince Philip “served this country, the Commonwealth and the Crown with unflappable devotion”.

A statement from Ringwood Town Council said: “The Mayor, Councillors and staff of Ringwood Town Council join the world in mourning the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and in giving thanks for his life of service to the nation and the Commonwealth.”

Flags were flown at half mast across the district, including at St Mary’s Church in Fordingbridge.