Prince Philip death: West Yorkshire Lord-Lieutenant Ed Anderson pays tribute to "an inspiration"

The longest serving consort in British history, the Duke of Edinburgh paid many visits to the region both with Her Majesty and alone, accompanying the then 23-year-old Princess Elizabeth on her first visit to Yorkshire in 1949 to be met by vast crowds.

His most recent, in 2015, was to mark one of his final trips, and as he opened Wakefield's £38m police training centre he had declared himself "the world's most experienced plaque opener".

Lord Lieutenant for West Yorkshire Ed Anderson, the Queen's representative for the county who accompanied him on this visit, said the Duke had been in "great form", insisting upon climbing stairs without assistance despite being in mid 90s.

"He made a terrific impression on everybody that he met that day," said the Lord Lieutenant, remarking on the Duke's sense of humour.

"It's very sad news indeed," he added. "As Lord Lieutenant I have conveyed the sympathies of West Yorkshire to Her Majesty the Queen and to the Royal Family.

"At the same time, I think we are truly thankful, for a wonderful life of duty which he served with such devotion over such a long period of time.

"Devotion, to the Queen, to the country, and I believe he was an inspiration to many people across the world."

The Duke's last visit to Leeds was for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.

Spectators packed Briggate - even climbing on phone boxes and street furniture for a better view - as the Queen and Duke arrived to greet everyone.

An eight-year-old Junior Frood, of Meanwood, was among the lucky ones to be hoisted out of the crowd and was so overwhelmed he was moved to tears.

His mum Kerry told the YEP afterwards: “He asked Prince Philip to give the flowers to the Queen but he said ‘Wouldn’t you rather give them to her yourself?’ Junior was absolutely gobsmacked.”

The couple enjoyed a performance on Briggate and unveiled a plaque at the newly-restored and reopened City Varieties Music Hall.

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