Britain’s Prince Philip, the 95-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, will retire from public engagements later this year, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.
The decision was taken with the full support of the monarch, the palace said in a statement.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who turns 96 on June 10, is the longest-serving consort in British history, and conducted 219 royal engagements last year.
A meeting of Buckingham Palace staff was called for 10am local time, sending British news organisations into a flurry of speculation.
“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 statement 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.
