Prince Philip, husband to Queen Elizabeth II has died aged 99

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband to Queen Elizabeth II, has died at the age of 99 years.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the death of the prince on Friday.  

It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.

The Prince was in ill health before his death, having been admitted to hospital days after not feeling well in February. His last public appearance was in July 2020 when he transferred his ceremonial role as colonel-in-chief of The Rifles to his daughter-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Prince Philip married Elizabeth 73 years ago. And reports said, she has immediately entered a mourning period of eight days. During this time, new bills will not be given Royal Assent to become law.

State affairs will also be suspended as a mark of respect. After the funeral, the Queen will continue to mourn in private but will resume her duties behind closed doors.  

Queen Elizabeth once described Philip as her ‘strength and stay.’ His death is expected to have a profound effect on her, in both her personal and official capacity.

The Prince was born in Greece to Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg, but his family was later exiled from the country when he was an infant. After being educated in France and Germany, Prince Philip joined the British Royal Navy in 1939. Before marrying Queen Elizabeth in 1947, he abandoned his Greek and Danish royal titles, becoming a naturalized British subject, and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich before the wedding in Westminster Abbey. 

The Prince was a patron of several organizations focused on the environment, sports and education. His first solo engagement as Duke of Edinburgh was presenting prizes at the boxing finals of the London Federation of Boys’ Clubs at the Royal Albert Hall. He also authored several books on horsemanship and the environment. 

He retired from his royal duties in August 2017 at age 96. He is survived by his four children, Charles, Prince of Wales; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; and Anne, Princess Royal.