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Prince Philip dead aged 99 – Queen’s ‘deep sorrow’ as ‘beloved’ husband the Duke of Edinburgh dies at Windsor Castle
PRINCE Philip, who has been the Queen's "rock" for 73 years and helped forge the Royal Family's path into the modern era, died aged 99 this morning.
The Queen has expressed her "deep sorrow" after her "beloved" husband the Duke of Edinburgh passed away "peacefully" at Windsor Castle.
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Her Majesty, 94, today shared a poignant photo of Philip in a heartfelt tribute to her "strength and guide".
The tragic news is a huge blow to the Queen, with the Duke widely known to be the backbone of the Royal Family.
Just after midday, the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK as the world mourns his death.
Tributes have poured in from around the world for the hardest-working member of the Royal Family after seven decades of Royal service.
Buckingham Palace said it will now "join with people around the world in mourning his loss".
A statement from the Palace said: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced 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 made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."
It comes as:
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The royal passed away two months and one day short of what would have been his 100th birthday.
BBC radio stations immediately interrupted broadcasts with the news of his death and played the national anthem shortly after in a sign of respect.
Announcing the news, the official Royal Family website was replaced with a single page and heartfelt tribute to the Duke.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute and said “he helped to steer the Royal Family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.”
Speaking from a podium in Downing Street, Mr Johnson said: "He was an environmentalist, and a champion of the natural world long before it was fashionable.
'DEEP SORROW'
"With his Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme he shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people and at literally tens of thousands of events he fostered their hopes and encouraged their ambitions.
"We remember the duke for all of this and above all for his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen.
"Not just as her consort, by her side every day of her reign, but as her husband, her 'strength and stay', of more than 70 years.
"And it is to Her Majesty, and her family, that our nation's thoughts must turn today.
"Because they have lost not just a much-loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather and, in recent years, great-grandfather."
The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."
Buckingham Palace
Philip's death comes just weeks after he was taken to London’s King Edward VII Hospital on February 16 after feeling unwell.
Two weeks later, he was transferred to St Bart’s Hospital for treatment for an infection and heart condition.
Buckingham Palace then announced on Tuesday, March 16 he had been released from hospital and was in "good spirits" and "comfortable".
The devastating announcement comes after a turmoil-filled 12 months for the royals after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry quit the royal family.
Philip has been one of the most dedicated royals - since 1952 he attended 22,219 solo engagements and 637 overseas tours in a career marked by his famous gaffes, wit and wisdom.
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He had retired from his public duties at the age of 96 in 2017 after 65 years of public life.
But despite retiring, the Royal last year issued a message of thanks to NHS workers facing the coronavirus pandemic.
He also made a rare appearance in public to pass on his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles to Camilla Parker Bowles.
In recent years, the duke had recently struggled with ill-health, spending time in hospital before Christmas in 2019 following a fall.
He was also involved in a car crash in January 2019 after his vehicle collided with another vehicle near the Sandringham estate.
His health scares have included heart problems, arthritis, abdominal surgery and bladder infections.
In April 2018 he had a hip replacement operation but had recovered well for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding a month later.
Timeline of Philip's hospital stay
Tuesday February 16 2021 - The duke is admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital on a precautionary basis after feeling unwell.
He travels from Windsor Castle by car.
Philip is said to be in "good spirits" and walks into the private hospital unaided.
He is expected to stay for a few days.
Friday February 19 - Sources say Philip is now expected to remain in hospital for "observation and rest" over the weekend and into the next week.
Saturday February 20 - The Prince of Wales makes a 200 mile-round trip to see his father, spending around half an hour at the hospital.
Tuesday February 23 - Seven days after the duke was admitted, the Palace says he is being treated for an infection and is "comfortable and responding to treatment", but is not expected to leave hospital for several more days.
The Earl of Wessex says the duke is a "lot better" and looking forward to getting out.
Monday March 1 - Philip is transferred in an ambulance to St Bartholomew's Hospital for treatment for an infection and testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition, Buckingham Palace says.
The duke is shielded from public view by large umbrellas as he leaves King Edward VII's Hospital.
The royal was born on the Greek island of Corfu on June 10, 1921, to parents Princess Anne of Battenberg and Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark.
Soon after his birth, his family was banished from Greece and as a baby he was carried onto a British naval vessel in an orange crate.
He then went onto be educated at The Elms then onto Cheam School before going to school in Germany.
Philip then became a cadet at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth before making his way up the ranks in the Royal Navy.
In 1942, he became first lieutenant of HMS Wallace, and at 21-years-old was one of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy
He married Elizabeth in 1947 at Westminster Abbey, described as her "constant strength", after the pair met at the wedding of Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark and Prince George, Duke of Kent, in 1934.
The royal pair then went on to have four children together - Charles, Prince of Wales, born 1948; Anne, Princess Royal, born 1950; Andrew, Duke of York, born 1960; and Edward, Earl of Wessex, born 1964.
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They have eight grandchildren: Prince William, Prince Harry, Peter Phillips, Zara Phillips, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louse Windsor, and James, Viscount Severn.
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They have another eight great-grandchildren including Savannah Phillips, Isla Phillips, Prince George, Mia Tindall, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Lena Tindall, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and August Philip Brooksbank.
Their latest great-grandson August, the son of Princess Eugenie and husband Jack, was given the middle name Philip in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh.
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Boris Johnson pays tribute to Prince Philip and offers condolences to The Queen following Duke's death aged 99
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