Commonwealth Chamber pays tribute to Duke of Edinburgh

Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh for his lifetime of service to the UK and the Commonwealth.

The Duke of Edinburgh was laid to rest on Saturday following his death at the age of 99.

According to official records, HRH made 229 solo visits to Commonwealth countries between 1949 and 2016.

These were in addition to visits he made to Commonwealth countries to accompany Her Majesty the Queen.

These numbers do not include countries visited in Royal Navy ships without any Royal duties being carried out or private engagements such as weddings and funerals.

HRH had a number of Commonwealth appointments and military affiliations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Trinidad and Tobago. See list below.

He also held Patronage appointments in 12 different Commonwealth countries.

In 1956, he founded The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conferences - a scheme still going on today.

Joel Blake OBE (pictured), president of the Commonwealth Chamber, said: "On behalf of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce I would like to pass on our condolences to the Royal Family at the passing of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.

"As well as giving a lifetime of service to the UK, his life of dedication and commitment to the Commonwealth can empower us to build a more equitable Commonwealth for generations to come.

"Whilst we must never forget the history of the Commonwealth and the British Empire, the death of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh reminds us all to acknowledge our differences, celebrate more of what we have in common together and be mindful of the fragility of life, more than ever before."