Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British PM Boris Johnson lead tributes to Prince Philip

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has joined a chorus of world leaders paying tribute to Prince Philip following the royal’s death tonight, aged 99.

Mr Morrison was quick to release a statement following the Duke of Edinburgh’s death, referencing his many visits to Australia.

“For nearly 80 years, Prince Philip served his Crown, his country and the Commonwealth,” Mr Morrison said.

“His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was, in the words of Her Majesty, her ‘strength and stay’. He embodied a generation that we will never see again.

“Prince Philip was no stranger to Australia, having visited our country on more than 20 occasions.

“Through his service to the Commonwealth he presided as patron or president of nearly 50 organisations in Australia. Given his own service, Prince Philip also had a strong connection with the Australian Defence Force.

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“For 65 years, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme has encouraged over 775,000 young Australians to explore their leadership potential. Forty thousand young Australians are currently participating in the program.

“Australians send our love and deepest condolences to her Majesty and all the Royal family. The Commonwealth family joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip. God bless from all here in Australia.”

Former Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull also took to Twitter to pay tribute to the Prince

Mr Abbott — who infamously handed Philip a Australian knighthood — added that the world was a “little emptier” without the royal.

“ Prince Philip has been a part of our lives for so long that it’s hard to grasp that he’s gone,” he said in a statement on Friday.

“He’s lived a long life of duty and service – to the whole Commonwealth, but above all to his Queen.

“Even as we mourn his passing, we should be uplifted by his example.

“He combined great character with being a dutiful royal and demonstrated over eight decades that there is no better life than once lived in service to others.”

Mr Turnbull, added: “Farewell Prince Philip - always charming to this republican. But never more so than at Malta 2015 when he relived his young life with his young wife not yet a Queen.

“He spoke of love, adventure, eyes sparkling, he banished time. And we could see how he won Elizabeth’s heart.”

Mr Morrison added that the government would announce over the coming days how Australia would commemorate his death and confirmed that flags would be lowered in his honour.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also offered his condolences to the Queen and paid tribute to the courage the Duke of Edinburgh displayed during his naval service in WWII.

“Like the expert carriage driver that he was, he helped to steer the royal family and the monarchy,” Mr Johnson said out the front of No.10 Downing Street tonight.

“So remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.

“He was an environmentalist, and a champion of a natural world long before it was fashionable.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also released a statement in tribute to the Duke — referring to Philip as an “extraordinary man” who had “devoted his life to ... helping others.”

“I extend my deepest sympathies to Her Majesty The Queen and the entire Royal Family at this sad time.

“Today we mourn the loss of an extraordinary man, who devoted his life to public service and helping others.

“Not only did his Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh devote 7-0 years to undertaking roayl duties, but he also fought for Britain - and for the freedoms we hold dear today - during the Second World War.

“As Mayor, I know I can say on behalf of all Londoners that we will forever be grateful for the contribution His Royal Highness made to our city and our country.”

The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Prince Philip, taking to twitter to send their condolences.

My thoughts are with the British people and the Royal Family on the passing away of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He had a distinguished career in the military and was at the forefront of many community service initiatives. May his soul rest in peace.