Source: GEOFF CADDICK / Getty
The Duke of Edinburgh has died at the age of 99, according to multiple reports.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said “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.”
The palace added, “The Royal Family joins with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
The Duke, who was the longest-serving monarch in British history, returned to Windsor Castle on March 16 after spending a month in hospital due to an undisclosed illness. He reportedly underwent a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at another London hospital in recent months.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said news of the duke’s death was “with great sadness”.
“Prince Philip earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world,” he said.
The flag at Buckingham Palace was lowered to half-mast and a notice was posted on the gates following the announcement of the duke’s death. People have also staged a memorial outside the palace with flowers.
The Duke was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years.
“Prince Philip had made a huge contribution to the success of the Queen’s reign”, BBC’s royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said.
“The Duke was utterly loyal in his belief in the importance of the role that the Queen was fulfilling – and in his duty to support her. It was the importance of the solidity of that relationship, of their marriage, that was so crucial to the success of her reign,” he added.
Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen. The couple had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.
The palace said further announcements would be made “in due course”.
Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, dead at 99 was originally published on wbt.com
