“Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen, and the wider Royal family at this difficult time. The Duke of Edinburgh has visited our towns on a number of occasions over the past 70 years. Many local people who are still resident in our area will have attended these historic events and will treasure their own recollections of those days. In 1966, the Duke of Edinburgh accompanied The Queen when they visited Bournemouth Gardens, Christchurch town centre and the Christchurch Priory. Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Lesley Dedman said: “As Mayor of Christchurch I send the condolences of our Town to the Queen and all the Royal Family upon the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.