After 70 years loyal service to Britain and the Queen, Prince Philip retires from royal duties joking ‘I can’t stand up much longer’
PRINCE Philip joked yesterday about the bombshell news he is to stand down from royal duties — quipping: “Well, I can’t stand up much longer.”
After more than 22,000 solo engagements and 637 overseas visits to 143 countries, the Duke of Edinburgh will all but withdraw from public life this autumn.
Palace sources insisted the decision — announced just over a month before his 96th birthday _ was not taken for medical reasons, but solely by the Prince.
It came 64 years after Elizabeth II was crowned Queen with him at her side. Palace sources said Her Majesty supported his decision as he also prepares to stop public events for almost 800 charities and organisations.
Within hours of the news, the Prince was at a St James’ Palace engagement, where mathematician Sir Michael Atiyah, 88, told him: “I’m sorry to hear you’re standing down.”
In typically unguarded fashion, the royal replied: “Well, I can’t stand up much longer.”
News of the veteran royal’s impending retirement came as:
- ROYAL staff from across the country were called to a dramatic secret meeting yesterday;
- PRIME Minister Theresa May hailed the long-serving Duke as a “huge benefit” to the country;
- EVEN Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a life-long republican, called him an “inspiration”;
- IT was revealed that Philip will spend more time at Windsor Castle, and
- THE 91-year-old Queen vowed to go on alone.
Royal staff called to London were told at their hush-hush meeting that the Prince, who served in the Royal Navy, would fulfil all existing commitments but take on no new ones past autumn.
Buckingham 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 dramatic news was kept to a tight inner circle, but core staff and members of the Royal Family were told.
It was only when royal employees were called to Buckingham Palace that news of an imminent announcement began to leak.
On Wednesday evening, rumours of a major revelation began circulating within the press.
By morning, crowds of journalists and TV cameras had gathered in front of the royal residence.
Insiders were left to dismiss fears of death or ill health, briefing journalists that both the Queen and her husband were alive and well.
But they kept quiet about the news until 10am and, even then, had to stress there was no specific health reason for the retirement.
A royal aide told The Sun: “This decision has not been taken on medical grounds.
“It was entirely his decision. He’s nearly 96, he decided this is the right moment to take a step back.
“The reason this is being announced now is because this is the time invitations are flooding in for his autumn programme.
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“He felt it was only fair to the 780-odd organisations with which he has links that he should be signalling his intentions publicly now.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s retirement from public engagements comes as he and the Queen prepare to mark a poignant personal milestone this year.
In November, they are due to reach their platinum wedding anniversary, marking 70 married years.
He drew laughs from the crowd as he joked he was “the world’s most experienced plaque unveiler”.
Yesterday he again looked in good spirits as he arrived at St James’ Palace for the service for Members of the Order of Merit at the Chapel Royal. He later had lunch with guests.
Among 780 patronages at charities and other organisations, he is most famous for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which has encouraged young people to go outdoors and stay active for generations.
The royal is also patron of the World Wildlife Fund and has a strong interest in the environment, science, engineering and the forces.
But he had already started handing over responsibilities — giving up more than a dozen positions when he turned 90. And he passed over his patronage of the RAF Air Cadets after 63 years as air commodore-in-chief to the Duchess of Cambridge, who became Honorary Air Commandant in 2015.
Despite this, the Prince remained the fifth-busiest royal last year — with a staggering 110 public engagements.
One prankster suggested he was calling it a day to avoid having to meet US president Donald Trump at the upcoming state visit.
Another joked: “Is Prince Philip retiring as he is worried he will be deported back to Greece post Brexit? Did he not get his permanent residency?”
The suspense surrounding Buckingham Palace’s top-secret meeting yesterday morning also sent Twitter into a frenzy.
Igor Lima said: “Southern Rail just announced my train is delayed because the driver was waiting for Buckingham Palace’s announcement.”
Others joked that the Queen was preparing to announce the addition of a new corgi to the royal household.
Footie fans also waded in on the action, with one Arsenal supporter mocking up an image of the Queen on the Palace balcony, holding a sign declaring: “Wenger Out”. Plenty of people also used the occasion to have a dig at the EU.
One Brexit voter posted a snap of the Queen with her corgis. They added the caption: “One has decided one does not like that man Juncker. Neither do the corgis. No deal. Pull up the drawbridge.”
And Charlotte Norton cheekily questioned whether the emergency meeting was called because messaging app WhatsApp was down.