Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Prince Philip joked with a guest during an engagement, shortly after his retirement was announced

The Duke of Edinburgh is retiring from royal duties this autumn, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Prince Philip, who turns 96 in June, made the decision himself and the Queen supported him, a spokesman said.

"I'm sorry to hear you're standing down", one man told him at a royal lunch on Thursday. "Well, I can't stand up much," the duke quipped.

The duke will attend already scheduled engagements between now and August but will not accept new invitations.

The Queen "will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements", the palace said.

The duke carried out 110 days of engagements in 2016, making him the fifth busiest member of the royal family, according to Court Circular listings.

He is patron, president or a member of more than 780 organisations and will continue to be associated with them, but "will no longer play an active role by attending engagements", Buckingham Palace said.

In the statement, the spokesman said the duke "may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time".

Hours after the announcement, Prince Philip was at his 26th public engagement of 2017: a service and lunch for members of the Order of Merit at St James's Palace.

At the reception, the duke quipped to mathematician Sir Michael Atiyah that he "can't stand up much".

Analysis

Image copyright PA

By Peter Hunt, BBC royal correspondent

This is Prince Philip acting on his own advice, nearly six years later.

When he turned 90 he told the BBC it was "better to get out before you reach your sell-by date".

From the autumn, he will follow a path into retirement which is trod by many non-royals once they are in their sixties.

Today's announcement is a significant moment in the recent history of the British Royal Family.

A prince of Greece - with Danish, German and Russian blood - he has served the ancient institution, very publicly, for seven decades.

As an outsider - who was viewed with suspicion by the aristocracy - he struggled at first.

To his critics, he is a gaffe-prone prince.

His many supporters argue that this nonagenarian senior royal has played a crucial role sustaining the monarchy.

It's little wonder then that the Queen once called him her strength and stay.

Read more from Peter Hunt

Broadcaster and writer Gyles Brandreth, a friend of the duke, told the BBC he had seen Prince Philip on Tuesday and could confirm his retirement was not on health grounds.

"I think he is retiring now in order to have a few years of retirement and I think the timing is thought through," he said.

"It's 70 years this autumn since he became the consort of Princess Elizabeth and then the Queen - so, after 70 years, I think he feels probably he has done his stuff."

BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the duke - the longest-serving consort in British history - "clearly feels he now wishes to curtail" his "familiar role" in support of his wife.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Prince Philip feeds Donna the elephant at the opening of the Centre for Elephant Care at Whipsnade Zoo

The duke attended Lord's Cricket Ground to open a new stand on Wednesday and was heard joking at the event that he is the "world's most experienced plaque unveiler".

He is famed for off-the-cuff remarks he has made at royal engagements over the years.

Prime Minister Theresa May said she offered the country's "deepest gratitude and good wishes" to the duke and praised his "steadfast support" for the Queen.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wished the duke "all the best in his well-earned retirement", saying: "His Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme has inspired young people for more than 60 years in over 140 nations."

Prince Philip set up the awards in 1956 and they have become one of the UK's best-known youth programmes, with young people carrying out challenges to earn bronze, silver or gold awards.

The Duke of Edinburgh 96 years old 70 years as Queen's companion 22,219 solo engagements since 1952

5,496 speeches given

785 organisations have him as patron, president or member

4 million people have taken part in Duke of Edinburgh Awards Getty Images

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said it was a moment to "celebrate and take stock" of the duke's "enormous achievements".

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the "steadfast support" the duke had given the Queen was "hugely admirable".

Still on the diary

Image copyright AFP/Getty Image caption The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary later this year

Buckingham Palace publishes details of official engagements up to eight weeks in advance. For the Duke of Edinburgh, these include:

Visiting Pangbourne College, Berkshire, for its centenary - 9 May

Presenting prizes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show - 14 May

Attending a dinner marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of Pakistan - 18 May

Visiting the Chelsea Flower Show - 22 May

Holding receptions for young people who have achieved a gold Duke of Edinburgh award - 24 May

Attending evensong to celebrate the centenary of the Companions of Honour - 13 June

Presenting the Prince Philip Award at ZSL London Zoo - 27 June

Hosting King Felipe of Spain during his state visit - from 12 July

US President Donald Trump is also due to make a state visit to the UK later this year, but no date has been announced for his trip.

The duke and the Queen celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary - their 70th - in November.

They have called a halt to long-haul travel in recent years, with younger royals carrying out those duties.

Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter said the duke is in "robust health", adding: "He is not giving up on life, just stepping [down] from full-time public engagements".

To date, the duke has:

Carried out 22,191 solo engagements

Taken part in 637 solo overseas visits

Given 5,493 speeches

Authored 14 books

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen waved as they made their way to an engagement on Thursday

Former royal butler Grant Harrold said: "I love his wit and I think people will miss seeing that on a day-to-day basis. But I don't think it's him disappearing, I think it's just him being very sensible, he's 95 years old.

"He's slowing down and I'm sure we will still hear and see of him from time to time."</s>LONDON (AP) — Prince Philip, the consort known for his constant support of his wife Queen Elizabeth II as well as for his occasional gaffes, will retire from royal duties this fall, Buckingham Palace said Thursday.

Philip, 95, made the decision himself with the full support of the queen, the palace said in a statement. The royal, known as the Duke of Edinburgh, has suffered from heart disease and other ailments in recent years but has nonetheless maintained a vigorous public schedule.

He seemed to be in good health and a fine mood Wednesday during an appearance at a London cricket club. He joked about being the world’s most experienced person when it comes to unveiling plaques.

That may be true: Official figures indicate he has made more than 22,000 solo royal appearances and thousands more at the queen’s side.

Philip, a member of the Greek royal family in exile, has been at Elizabeth’s side in countless public appearance since their marriage in 1947. He gave up a successful naval career to support her when she became queen in 1952.

He became the longest-serving consort in British history in 2009 — much as Elizabeth has become the longest reigning monarch in British history.

Prime Minister Theresa May expressed gratitude “on behalf of the whole country” to Philip for his decades of service.

“From his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen to his inspirational Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his patronage of hundreds of charities and good causes, his contribution to our United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the wider world will be of huge benefit to us all for years to come,” she said.

Officials said the queen, who turned 91 last month, will keep carrying out royal engagements with the support of the royal family. She has indicated that she does not plan to retire.

Elizabeth has, however, reduced her workload considerably in recent years as her children and grandchildren have moved to the fore. She has stopped making long-haul air flights to other Commonwealth countries.

Attention has been increasingly focused on her son Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, and on her grandson Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

The palace said Philip will continue his role with more than 780 charitable organizations but will not attend engagements.

He is not expected to disappear completely from the public stage — the palace said he may still choose to attend some events from time to time.

The palace did not offer any new details about his health and there were no indications of any new problems. The statement indicated Philip will carry out previously scheduled engagements between now and August.

Philip said when he turned 90 in 2011 that he was “winding down” his official duties, adding that he felt he had “done my bit.” He was treated later that year for a blocked heart artery but seemed to recover well.

He has been hospitalized several times since then with other ailments.

The queen is normally quite reserved about her private life but she has described her husband as “my strength and stay all these years.”

She met with May at the palace Wednesday and has made several public appearances recently. The queen and Philip were both ill with the flu over the Christmas holidays but seem to have recovered well.

Earlier in the day, a report by Britain’s Daily Mail of an unusual meeting of royal household staff sparked a worldwide wave of speculation about the health of the queen and Philip, including incorrect reports that the flag atop Buckingham Palace had been lowered to half-staff.

The Sun tabloid briefly reported on its website that Philip had died. The incorrect report was quickly dropped.

In Australia, where the queen is recognized as head of state, officials praised Philip’s perseverance.

“It says something about an individual that they get to the age of 95 before they decide to officially retire,” Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce told reporters. “It’s something to aim for.”

Tourists outside Buckingham Palace also had kind words for Philip as he nears the end of his public life.

“He’s been an icon for so long, and I’ve really admired him and it saddens me in a way,” said Grace Marie, who said she understood his decision.</s>Prince Philip, the consort known for his steadfast support of his wife Queen Elizabeth II as well as for his occasional gaffs, will retire from royal duties this fall, Buckingham Palace said Thursday.

Philip, 95, made the decision himself with the full support of the queen, the palace said in a statement. The royal, known as the Duke of Edinburgh, has suffered from heart disease and other ailments in recent years but has nonetheless maintained a vigorous public schedule.

He seemed to be in good health and a fine mood Wednesday during an appearance at a London cricket club. He joked about being the world's most experienced person when it comes to unveiling plaques.

Officials said the queen, who turned 91 last month, will keep carrying out royal engagements with the support of the royal family.

She has, however, lowered her work load in recent years as her children and grandchildren have moved to the fore. Attention has been increasingly focused on her son Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, and on Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

The palace said Philip will continue heading numerous charitable organizations but will not play an active role attending engagements.

The palace did not offer any new details about his health and there were no indications of any new problems. The statement indicated Philip will carry out previously scheduled engagements between now and August.

Prime Minister Theresa May expressed gratitude to Philip after he announced his retirement, thanking him for his years supporting the queen.

The queen is normally quite reserved about her private life but she has described her husband as "my strength and stay all these years." They were married in 1947.

Earlier in the day, a report by Britain's Daily Mail of an unusual meeting of royal household staff sparked a worldwide wave of speculation about the health of the queen and Philip, including incorrect reports that the flag atop Buckingham Palace had been lowered to half-staff.

The queen met with May at the palace Wednesday. She has made several public appearances recently.</s>Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Philip on Thursday announced that he was retiring from royal duties later this year, the Royal Family said in a statement. The Clarence House announced that the 95-year-old will attend engagements scheduled previously from now till Autumn.

However, he will continue to be the patron, president or a member of over 780 organisations with which he is currently associated. The Duke of Edinburgh will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagement, the statement said.

The Royal Family said the Queen will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements.

Earlier in the day, the Buckingham Palace had reportedly called for an emergency meeting of its staff members, sparking panicked rumours that either Prince Philip or Queen Elizabeth had died. However, unidentified officials from the palace told Reuters that there was no cause for alarm.</s>Very late last night (early morning in UK Greenwich Mean Time), England’s Queen Elizabeth II called an emergency meeting with her most senior aides, and Royal correspondent for the BBC Peter Hunt sent out this ominous sounding tweet:

This, of course, led some (myself included) to fear it very much had to do with the health of either the Queen or Prince Philip. The New York Times described it as “a frenzy of speculation” but we prefer to call it a kerfuffle, if you please. The Twitter hashtag #BuckinghamPalace was trending higher than #StarWarsDay and #MayTheFourthBeWithYou. The Sun even published — then retracted — an obituary for Prince Philip.

But buck up, it’s not that bad after all, as Buckingham Palace has just announced what’s really going on. Prince Philip, the seemingly-immortal husband of the seemingly-immortal Queen Elizabeth II, is retiring from royal duties at age 95. (Goodnight, sweet Prince?)

Honestly, I thought the 95-year-old Prince had already retired twenty years ago. Perhaps I’m not be the best one to cover news of the Royals, being that much of what I know of British culture comes from Blur albums and episodes of Red Dwarf and The League Of Gentlemen (this is a local reference, for LOCAL people). But I’m the only one awake here when it’s 10 am at Buckingham Palace, so carry on we must.</s>London, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain’s Prince Philip, the 95-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, will retire from public engagements later this year, Buckingham Palace said Thursday.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who turns 96 on June 10, is the longest-serving consort in British history, and is still in good health.

But he has been reducing his workload in recent years, and said in 2011 that “I reckon I’ve done my bit, so I want to enjoy myself a bit now”.

Philip conducted 219 royal engagements last year, and was in good form when he opened a new stand at Lord’s cricket ground in London on Wednesday.

“You’re about to see the world’s most experienced plaque-unveiler,” he quipped just before pulling the cord to part a small curtain.

The former naval officer’s no-nonsense approach combined with his infamous and often politically incorrect off-the-cuff remarks has not made it easy for people to warm to his style.

But his unwavering, forthright style and devotion to duty and the queen has endeared him to the nation.

Prime Minister Theresa May offered him the whole country’s “deepest gratitude and good wishes”.

“His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year,” the palace said in a statement.

“In taking this decision, the duke has the full support of the queen.”

It said he would attend previously scheduled engagements until August, and would not accept any new invitations thereafter.

However, “he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time”, it said.

Philip has been ever-present at his wife’s side since she took the throne in 1952.

They married in 1947 and will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on November 20.

It is likely that the monarch will be accompanied by younger members of the royal family on future engagements.

Prince William, second in line to the throne, has already announced that he is leaving his job as an air ambulance pilot this year in order to undertake more royal duties.

The announcement followed a meeting of royal staff from around Britain — a rare gathering which prompted global speculation about the health of the monarch and her husband.

“Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the royal family,” the palace stressed.

Like her husband, Queen Elizabeth has gradually cut back her workload in recent years as they go into their nineties.

But she made a sacred vow before God and her people at her 1953 coronation to serve for life, which experts say she considers unbreakable.

She also witnessed how the monarchy was placed in peril by her uncle king Edward VIII’s abdication in 1936.

Philip is patron, president or a member of more than 780 organisations, and while he will maintain his association with them, he will “no longer play an active role by attending engagements”, it said.

The duke carried out royal duties on 110 days last year — more than his grandchildren Princes William and Harry.

His 219 engagements last year were made up of 101 official visits, 91 receptions and 21 other engagements.

They were all carried out in Britain as Queen Elizabeth and the duke have cut down their overseas travel.

They made state visits to Germany and Malta in 2015 but have not left Europe since their visit to Australia in 2011.

In her statement, May paid tribute to Philip’s contribution to public life.

“From his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen to his inspirational Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his patronage of hundreds of charities and good causes, his contribution to our United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the wider world will be of huge benefit to us all for years to come,” she said.

The post Britain’s Prince Philip, 95, to retire from public duties appeared first on The Independent Uganda:.

This post was syndicated from The Independent Uganda:. Click here to read the full text on the original website.

Also, Like us on facebook</s>Prince Philip is to retire from all public royal duties, it has been announced.

The Duke of Edinburgh's retirement at age 95 was revealed at a top secret emergency meeting called by Buckingham Palace this morning.

The Palace said in a statement: "His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year. In taking this decision, The Duke has the full support of The Queen.

"Prince Philip will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, both individually and accompanying The Queen. Thereafter, The Duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements, although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time.

"The Duke of Edinburgh is patron, president or a member of over 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated, although he will no longer play an active role by attending engagements.

"Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the royal family."

The announcement comes after The Queen's most senior aides summoned her entire household to an emergency meeting at 10am.

Royal sources said earlier that internet rumours about the Queen's or the Duke of Edinburgh's health faltering were 'wide of the mark' and the couple are 'fine'.

The Royal Standard flag over Buckingham Palace remains at full mast today meaning that there has been no death in the royal family.

* Related article: Queen calls all staff meeting at Buckingham Palace today sparking frenzy of speculation about herself and Prince Phillip</s>Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, 95, permanently steps down from all royal duties

Prince Philip is to retire from royal duties at the age of 95, it was revealed today.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s well-earned retirement was announced at a top secret emergency meeting called by Buckingham Palace today.

It caused fevered speculation around the world about the future of the Queen and her husband.

The Mail revealed last night that Her Majesty’s most senior aides called her entire household from across Britain to London for a 10am summit ahead of a royal announcement.



But royal sources said that internet rumours about the Queen’s or the Duke of Edinburgh’s health faltering are ‘wide of the mark’ and the couple are ‘fine’.

As speculation swirled yesterday the spokesman refused to say what the meeting is about but added: ‘There’s no cause for alarm’ and the Royal Standard remains at full mast over Buckingham Palace today, meaning there has been no death in the royal family.

This post was syndicated from Nigerian: Breaking News In Nigeria | Laila's Blog. Click here to read the full text on the original website.

Also, Like us on facebook</s>According to Buckingham Palace, Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth ll is set to retire from royal duties this autumn.

The Palace said in a statement that it was the Duke’s decision. The Queen has given her full support on the matter.

It said: “His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year. In taking this decision, The Duke has the full support of The Queen.

“Prince Philip will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, both individually and accompanying The Queen. Thereafter, The Duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements, although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time.

“The Duke of Edinburgh is Patron, President or a member of over 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated, although he will no longer play an active role by attending engagements.

“Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the Royal Family.”

This announcement came after The Queen summoned an all-staff meeting at Buckingham Palace.</s>Reports circulated on Wednesday night that Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and longtime husband to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, has died.

News of the prince’s alleged death began to circulate late Wednesday night after reports leaked that an emergency meeting had taken place at Buckingham Palace. The irregularity of such a meeting caused great speculation that something catastrophic had occurred.

“Although meetings involving the entire royal household are occasionally called, the way this has been done at the eleventh hour is highly unusual and suggests that there is something major to be disseminated,” the Daily Mail reported.

RELATED: Getting to know England’s ever-classy Queen Elizabeth II

Prince Philip spent Wednesday at the Lord’s Cricket Ground at Warner Stand in London.

The Duke of Edinburgh was born Philip Mountbatten in the Kingdom of Greece in 1921. Philip began a romance with Queen Elizabeth in 1939. They were married in 1947. Throughout Queen Elizabeth’s reign, Prince Philip served as a lighthearted and oftentimes mischievous foil for his loving wife. For many decades, the World War II vet was by his wife’s side as she ruled and became well known for his rambunctious personality.

Per official protocol, Buckingham Palace has refrained from offering comment. Long standing tradition dictates that major news concerning the royal family must be announced at 8AM. Speculation arose that the news may have been an elaborate Twitter-based death hoax.
Buckingham Palace announces that 95-year-old Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince consort of Queen Elizabeth II, will retire from royal duties in August.