The queen has described Philip, her husband of almost 70 years who is now the longest-serving consort in British history, as “my strength and stay.”

But after announcing his plans to retire in May, he joked he was the “world’s most experienced plaque-unveiler.”

The prince’s often politically incorrect sense of humor has got him into trouble in the past, although for many of the queen’s subjects, it has also provided some welcome warmth into the institution of the monarchy. On Wednesday Prince Philip, 96, made his 22,219th — and final — solo public engagement, braving heavy rain to meet Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace. In his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines, he met British naval servicemen who have taken part in a 1,664-mile trek as part of the challenge at a Buckingham Palace ceremony. ?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. Britain's Prince Philip, right, in his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines, attends a Parade on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, in central London, Wednesday Aug. 2, 2017. Over the decades he has become renowned for his stalwart support of his wife, Queen Elizabeth II - and his blunt and sometimes offensive remarks. (Photo by Hannah McKay - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 2: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R) in his role as Captain General, Royal Marines, makes his final individual public engagement as he attends a parade to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge, on the Buckingham Palace Forecourt on August 2, 2017 in London, England. LONDON: After a lifetime of public service by the side of his wife Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip will finally retire on Wednesday at the age of 96. The Duke is known for his quips and over the past few months has been joking about his impending retirement, telling British celebrity cook Prue Leith at a Palace event: "I'm discovering what it's like to be on your last legs". Philip is patron, president or a member of over 780 organizations, with which he will continue to be associated — but he won’t play an active role by attending engagements. It was announced in May that he would no longer undertake any solo royal engagements but the Palace had stressed that the surprise news was not health related. Philip has been captain general of the corps since 1953, taking over from the queen’s father king George VI, who had died the year before. At the queen’s coronation in 1953, Philip swore to be his wife’s “liege man of life and limb.” He settled into a life supporting Elizabeth in her role as queen and they had four children — Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. “Prince Philip is entitled to slow down a bit,” the Daily Telegraph newspaper wrote in an editorial, adding: “This is a man who has always put his country first.”

The former World War II naval officer has carried out 637 overseas visits on his own in the past 65 years, given almost 5,500 speeches, and was patron, president or a member of more than 780 organizations.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, retires from public appearances at the age of 96, after having completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952.