A NATIONAL period of mourning has been declared after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Buckingham Palace announced Prince Philip's passing, aged 99, at midday today (Friday).

Tributes have flooded across the nation as well as the memories from the years of service to his wife, The Queen, the country and the Commonwealth.

Not least in Crewe. One of the Duke's greatest legacies was the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, which he founded in 1956, and has made a huge difference to many generations of children in Cheshire and Crewe.

A Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme group was run out of Cheshire East Council Youth Support Service's offices in Crewe's Market Street.

The service was one of the leading providers of DofE Award expeditions in Cheshire offering outdoor adventures to help young people tackle challenges and learn new life skills.

Among Crewe's Royal visits was the Prince's arrival in the town in July 1987 where he marked the opening of the Crewe Heritage Centre, and along with the Queen toured the Bentley site, then under the banner of Rolls-Royce, and rail makers BREL.

Wistaston photographer Jonathan White recalls the Royal visit as a schoolboy nearly 34 years ago.

"I remember picking up my CSE exam results from school then rushing to Crewe Railway Station to see the Queen and Prince Philip, who'd arrived by train, leaving the station in a Rolls-Royce," said Jonathan.

Crewe Heritage Centre tweeted a picture of the day the Duke visited and said: "Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the Royal Family after the news of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"We were very fortunate to receive a visit from Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1987 to open The Crewe Heritage Centre."

Bentley Motors said on social media: "We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The deepest sympathies of all at Bentley Motors extends to Her Majesty The Queen and The Royal Family."

Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan urged people to make a donation to the DofE Scheme in memory of the Prince.

The MP said: "Very sad at the news of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. I will always best remember him for the amazing work of the @DofE, I think a donation in his memory is a fitting tribute."

St. Andrew's Church in Bedford Street paid tribute and called for prayer, declaring: "We join with the rest of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in mourning the loss of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, and give thanks to God for his extraordinary life of dedicated service.

"Let us pray: Father of mercies and God of all compassion, give comfort and hope to the Queen, the Royal Family and all who mourn the death of the Duke of Edinburgh; support and uphold them; reassure them of your continuing love and give them the light and peace of your presence."

The announcement from the Royal Family said: "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

"The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute when he said: "We mourn today with Her Majesty the Queen. We offer our condolences to her, to her family. And we give thanks, as a nation, and a kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh."

Prince Philip and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.

Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on June 10 1921.

His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, a younger son of King George I of the Hellenes.

His mother, Princess Alice, was a daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.