The Royal Family confirmed in a statement on Friday that he had passed away at Windsor Castle aged 99.

"It saddened me to hear of his passing, but he lived a full life," Mrs Hite said.

She fondly recalls being among the crowd who welcomed Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke to Wynyard in 1954, one of his eight visits to Tasmania.

The royals returned to the North-West in 1988 to proclaim Burnie as a city.

Mrs Hite said the Duke's can-do attitude was a credit to him.

"He filled a good constructive life and gave purpose to young people through the Duke of Edinburgh award and to people of all ages," she said.

"Every picture I saw he was always one pace behind."

Mrs Hite said she had no doubt the Queen would continue to serve the commonwealth.

"I think she will carry on regardless and continue to do her duty until the day she passes with the grace and dignity she has always shown the world," she said.

"They have done their duty to the crown and people of the world."

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