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 of Edinburgh will attend a parade of Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace, the last of 22,219 solo public engagements since she ascended to the throne in 1952.

He has attended countless more events with the queen, now 91, but both have slowed their pace in recent years, handing over responsibilities to the younger royals.

“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.

His final engagement on Wednesday will honor his military background, as he attends the end of a charity challenge in which Royal Marines ran 1,664 miles over 100 days to mark the founding of the commando force in 1664.

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.

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.

“Humor is important. The Duke’s has brightened these decades,” the Telegraph said.

Philip is still in good health for a man of his age, although he was hospitalized for two nights in June for the treatment of an undisclosed infection.

A spokeswoman said his individual program of public engagements had come to an end, but “he may choose to attend engagements alongside the queen from time to time.”

When he announced his retirement, Prime Minister Theresa May offered him Britain’s “deepest gratitude and good wishes.”

Both the senior royals have taken a step back in recent years, leaving their eldest son and heir Prince Charles and grandson Prince William to take their places.

William, the Duke of Cambridge, ended his brief career as an air ambulance pilot last week and will now turn his full attention to royal duties, alongside his wife Kate.

But while the queen supports her husband’s decision to retire, experts say her own sacred vow at her 1953 coronation to serve for life was unbreakable.

“Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full program of official engagements with the support of members of the royal family,” the palace said earlier this year. </s> Britain's 96-year-old Prince Philip carried out his final solo engagement here to begin his retirement from royal duties.

The Duke of Edinburgh is the longest serving consort to a British monarch with 65 years of public service and appearing at hundreds of events alongside his wife Queen Elizabeth II.

His appearance on Wednesday at a parade to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge a series of strength and endurance challenges raising funds and awareness for charity brings his solo engagements total to 22,220 since 1952.

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 then took the royal salute from a dais on the Palace forecourt and parade ended with three cheers for the Captain General.

He then set off to join the Queen at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where the couple traditionally spend this time of the year.

While his official diary of engagements come to an end on Wednesday, the Palace has said the Duke may still decide to attend some events alongside the Queen, 91, whose diary of events remains unchanged.

"The parade would bring His Royal Highness' individual programme to a conclusion, although he may choose to attend certain events, alongside the Queen, from time to time," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

According to palace records, Prince Philip has undertaken 637 solo overseas visits to 143 countries, delivered 5,496 speeches, written 14 books and carried out the role of patron for 785 organisations during his royal career.

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.

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".

Prince Philip, who has long been considered among the most active royals in the UK, has been married to Queen Elizabeth II since 1947.

The couple are set to mark their 70th or platinum wedding anniversary in November this year.

Their son and heir, Prince Charles, and grandsons Princes William and Harry are expected to take on additional royal duties to step in for Prince Philip at public engagements from this month.

The Queen and Prince Philip had already cut down on long-haul travel for some years now, with younger royals taking on those duties.

Close confidantes of the royal family said that the decision to retire was a personal one taken by Prince Philip himself, who may now devote his time to writing his memoirs. </s> Prince Philip retires: Queen Elizabeth's husband bows out of public life

Updated

For more than 65 years, he has been the unwavering presence alongside the world's longest-reigning living monarch, the consummate consort and royal representative.

Now Prince Philip, 96, has completed his 22,219th and final solo public engagement, braving pouring rain to meet Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of Edinburgh appeared in good spirits, waving to cheering crowds holding Union Jack umbrellas.

Inside the palace gates he joked with the soldiers, who had completed 2,678 kilometre trek to raise money for charity.

"You all should be locked up," quipped the Prince, who is known for his sense of humour and off-colour gaffes.

Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth, watched as a unit of marines marched past him in formation in a ceremonial procedure known as taking the salute.

Afterwards, the soldiers let out three cheers for the Prince, with one more coming from a watching crowd behind.

As the band played For He's a Jolly Good Fellow, Philip lifted his hat and gave a rare wave — perhaps a sign that he too accepted the significance of the moment.

Philip has been Captain General of the marines since 1953, and has a personal connection with the Royal Navy after serving with the force in World War II.

He announced he was stepping down from public duties in May.

The Royal recently joked about his big retirement day, telling celebrity chef Prue Leith: "I'm discovering what it's like to be on your last legs."

A Royal career in numbers Solo engagements - 22,219

Solo overseas visits - 637

Speeches given – 5,496

Patronages – 785 organisations

Presentation of colours – 54

Service appointments – 32

Books authored – 14

Philip has given 5,496 speeches, written 14 books and gone on 637 solo visits overseas.

He has championed environmental and conservation issues, and has interests in science, engineering and industry.

He is a patron, president or a member of over 780 organisations. He will continue to be associated with them, but will not play an active role by attending engagements.

While he has enjoyed overall good health, Philip has been admitted to the hospital on a number of occasions in the past few years for abdominal surgery, bladder infections and a blocked coronary artery.

'Consort of the Year'

Philip has poked fun at himself and his advancing years. In a letter to The Oldie magazine in 2011, he said he appreciated being named "Consort of the Year".

"There is nothing like it for morale to be reminded that the years are passing ever more quickly, and that bits are beginning to drop off the ancient frame," he wrote.

"But it is nice to be remembered at all."

The palace has said his health was not behind the retirement decision.

The Queen, the world's longest-reigning living monarch who celebrated her 91st birthday in April, will continue to carry out a full program of official engagements.

Philip, described by Elizabeth as "my strength and stay", will still appear at her side from time to time.

AP/Reuters

Topics: royal-and-imperial-matters, human-interest, england, united-kingdom

First posted </s> Prince Philip is to retire from all public royal duties, it has been announced.

The Duke of Edinburgh's retirement at age 95 was revealed at a top secret emergency meeting called by Buckingham Palace this morning.

The 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 Duke of Edinburgh is patron, president or a member of over 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated, although he will no longer play an active role by attending engagements.

"Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the royal family."

The announcement comes after The Queen's most senior aides summoned her entire household to an emergency meeting at 10am.

Royal sources said earlier that internet rumours about the Queen's or the Duke of Edinburgh's health faltering were 'wide of the mark' and the couple are 'fine'.

The Royal Standard flag over Buckingham Palace remains at full mast today meaning that there has been no death in the royal family.

* Related article: Queen calls all staff meeting at Buckingham Palace today sparking frenzy of speculation about herself and Prince Phillip </s> Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, 95, permanently steps down from all royal duties

Prince Philip is to retire from royal duties at the age of 95, it was revealed today.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s well-earned retirement was announced at a top secret emergency meeting called by Buckingham Palace today.

It caused fevered speculation around the world about the future of the Queen and her husband.

The Mail revealed last night that Her Majesty’s most senior aides called her entire household from across Britain to London for a 10am summit ahead of a royal announcement.



But royal sources said that internet rumours about the Queen’s or the Duke of Edinburgh’s health faltering are ‘wide of the mark’ and the couple are ‘fine’.

As speculation swirled yesterday the spokesman refused to say what the meeting is about but added: ‘There’s no cause for alarm’ and the Royal Standard remains at full mast over Buckingham Palace today, meaning there has been no death in the royal family.

This post was syndicated from Nigerian: Breaking News In Nigeria | Laila's Blog. Click here to read the full text on the original website.

Also, Like us on facebook </s> Britain’s Queen Elizabeth’s husband Prince Philip retired from public life on Wednesday after a solo appearance at an official event, Reuters reported. Ninety-six-year-old Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, met the British Navy personnel before he retired, BBC reported.

The Buckingham Palace, however, said that Philip may attend certain events alongside the Queen in future. Philip had announced his retirement in May this year. “I can’t stand up much,” Philip had told a guest at the event on the day of the announcement.

Philip, who is Captain General of the Royal Marines, on Wednesday attended a parade marking the 1664 Global Challenge - a series of strength challenges for charitable causes. He met servicemen who had taken part in a 2,678-km trek. Philip had completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952, when his wife became the Queen of Britain, according to BBC. </s> Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Prince Philip joked with a guest during an engagement, shortly after his retirement was announced

The Duke of Edinburgh is retiring from royal duties this autumn, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Prince Philip, who turns 96 in June, made the decision himself and the Queen supported him, a spokesman said.

"I'm sorry to hear you're standing down", one man told him at a royal lunch on Thursday. "Well, I can't stand up much," the duke quipped.

The duke will attend already scheduled engagements between now and August but will not accept new invitations.

The Queen "will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements", the palace said.

The duke carried out 110 days of engagements in 2016, making him the fifth busiest member of the royal family, according to Court Circular listings.

He is patron, president or a member of more than 780 organisations and will continue to be associated with them, but "will no longer play an active role by attending engagements", Buckingham Palace said.

In the statement, the spokesman said the duke "may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time".

Hours after the announcement, Prince Philip was at his 26th public engagement of 2017: a service and lunch for members of the Order of Merit at St James's Palace.

At the reception, the duke quipped to mathematician Sir Michael Atiyah that he "can't stand up much".

Analysis

Image copyright PA

By Peter Hunt, BBC royal correspondent

This is Prince Philip acting on his own advice, nearly six years later.

When he turned 90 he told the BBC it was "better to get out before you reach your sell-by date".

From the autumn, he will follow a path into retirement which is trod by many non-royals once they are in their sixties.

Today's announcement is a significant moment in the recent history of the British Royal Family.

A prince of Greece - with Danish, German and Russian blood - he has served the ancient institution, very publicly, for seven decades.

As an outsider - who was viewed with suspicion by the aristocracy - he struggled at first.

To his critics, he is a gaffe-prone prince.

His many supporters argue that this nonagenarian senior royal has played a crucial role sustaining the monarchy.

It's little wonder then that the Queen once called him her strength and stay.

Read more from Peter Hunt

Broadcaster and writer Gyles Brandreth, a friend of the duke, told the BBC he had seen Prince Philip on Tuesday and could confirm his retirement was not on health grounds.

"I think he is retiring now in order to have a few years of retirement and I think the timing is thought through," he said.

"It's 70 years this autumn since he became the consort of Princess Elizabeth and then the Queen - so, after 70 years, I think he feels probably he has done his stuff."

BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the duke - the longest-serving consort in British history - "clearly feels he now wishes to curtail" his "familiar role" in support of his wife.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Prince Philip feeds Donna the elephant at the opening of the Centre for Elephant Care at Whipsnade Zoo

The duke attended Lord's Cricket Ground to open a new stand on Wednesday and was heard joking at the event that he is the "world's most experienced plaque unveiler".

He is famed for off-the-cuff remarks he has made at royal engagements over the years.

Prime Minister Theresa May said she offered the country's "deepest gratitude and good wishes" to the duke and praised his "steadfast support" for the Queen.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wished the duke "all the best in his well-earned retirement", saying: "His Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme has inspired young people for more than 60 years in over 140 nations."

Prince Philip set up the awards in 1956 and they have become one of the UK's best-known youth programmes, with young people carrying out challenges to earn bronze, silver or gold awards.

The Duke of Edinburgh 96 years old 70 years as Queen's companion 22,219 solo engagements since 1952

5,496 speeches given

785 organisations have him as patron, president or member

4 million people have taken part in Duke of Edinburgh Awards Getty Images

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said it was a moment to "celebrate and take stock" of the duke's "enormous achievements".

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the "steadfast support" the duke had given the Queen was "hugely admirable".

Still on the diary

Image copyright AFP/Getty Image caption The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary later this year

Buckingham Palace publishes details of official engagements up to eight weeks in advance. For the Duke of Edinburgh, these include:

Visiting Pangbourne College, Berkshire, for its centenary - 9 May

Presenting prizes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show - 14 May

Attending a dinner marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of Pakistan - 18 May

Visiting the Chelsea Flower Show - 22 May

Holding receptions for young people who have achieved a gold Duke of Edinburgh award - 24 May

Attending evensong to celebrate the centenary of the Companions of Honour - 13 June

Presenting the Prince Philip Award at ZSL London Zoo - 27 June

Hosting King Felipe of Spain during his state visit - from 12 July

US President Donald Trump is also due to make a state visit to the UK later this year, but no date has been announced for his trip.

The duke and the Queen celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary - their 70th - in November.

They have called a halt to long-haul travel in recent years, with younger royals carrying out those duties.

Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter said the duke is in "robust health", adding: "He is not giving up on life, just stepping [down] from full-time public engagements".

To date, the duke has:

Carried out 22,191 solo engagements

Taken part in 637 solo overseas visits

Given 5,493 speeches

Authored 14 books

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen waved as they made their way to an engagement on Thursday

Former royal butler Grant Harrold said: "I love his wit and I think people will miss seeing that on a day-to-day basis. But I don't think it's him disappearing, I think it's just him being very sensible, he's 95 years old.

"He's slowing down and I'm sure we will still hear and see of him from time to time." </s> London, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain’s Prince Philip, the 95-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, will retire from public engagements later this year, Buckingham Palace said Thursday.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who turns 96 on June 10, is the longest-serving consort in British history, and is still in good health.

But he has been reducing his workload in recent years, and said in 2011 that “I reckon I’ve done my bit, so I want to enjoy myself a bit now”.

Philip conducted 219 royal engagements last year, and was in good form when he opened a new stand at Lord’s cricket ground in London on Wednesday.

“You’re about to see the world’s most experienced plaque-unveiler,” he quipped just before pulling the cord to part a small curtain.

The former naval officer’s no-nonsense approach combined with his infamous and often politically incorrect off-the-cuff remarks has not made it easy for people to warm to his style.

But his unwavering, forthright style and devotion to duty and the queen has endeared him to the nation.

Prime Minister Theresa May offered him the whole country’s “deepest gratitude and good wishes”.

“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 palace said in a statement.

“In taking this decision, the duke has the full support of the queen.”

It said he would attend previously scheduled engagements until August, and would not accept any new invitations thereafter.

However, “he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time”, it said.

Philip has been ever-present at his wife’s side since she took the throne in 1952.

They married in 1947 and will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on November 20.

It is likely that the monarch will be accompanied by younger members of the royal family on future engagements.

Prince William, second in line to the throne, has already announced that he is leaving his job as an air ambulance pilot this year in order to undertake more royal duties.

The announcement followed a meeting of royal staff from around Britain — a rare gathering which prompted global speculation about the health of the monarch and her husband.

“Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the royal family,” the palace stressed.

Like her husband, Queen Elizabeth has gradually cut back her workload in recent years as they go into their nineties.

But she made a sacred vow before God and her people at her 1953 coronation to serve for life, which experts say she considers unbreakable.

She also witnessed how the monarchy was placed in peril by her uncle king Edward VIII’s abdication in 1936.

Philip is patron, president or a member of more than 780 organisations, and while he will maintain his association with them, he will “no longer play an active role by attending engagements”, it said.

The duke carried out royal duties on 110 days last year — more than his grandchildren Princes William and Harry.

His 219 engagements last year were made up of 101 official visits, 91 receptions and 21 other engagements.

They were all carried out in Britain as Queen Elizabeth and the duke have cut down their overseas travel.

They made state visits to Germany and Malta in 2015 but have not left Europe since their visit to Australia in 2011.

In her statement, May paid tribute to Philip’s contribution to public life.

“From his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen to his inspirational Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his patronage of hundreds of charities and good causes, his contribution to our United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the wider world will be of huge benefit to us all for years to come,” she said.

The post Britain’s Prince Philip, 95, to retire from public duties appeared first on The Independent Uganda:.

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Also, Like us on facebook </s> LONDON — For over 65 years, he has been the unwavering presence alongside Britain’s longest-serving monarch, the consummate consort and royal representative.

On Wednesday Prince Philip will make his 22,219th — and final — solo public engagement. He will be meeting Royal Marines who have completed a 1,664-mile (2,678-kilometre) trek to raise money for charity.

After that, the Duke of Edinburgh will still appear at Queen Elizabeth II’s side — from time to time — as the 91-year-old monarch soldiers on. In the meantime, the man known for his quips and gaffes has already been joking about his big retirement day.

“I’m discovering what it’s like to be on your last legs,” the 96-year-old Philip told celebrity chef Prue Leith at a recent palace event.

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. The queen supported the decision, which was greeted with an international press flurry when it was announced in May.

The occasion marks a major landmark for the man born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in Corfu on June 10, 1921, to Princess Alice of Battenberg and Prince Andrew of Greece. Amid the upheaval of the military coup that overthrew his uncle, King Constantine, in 1922, the family fled.

King George V, the queen’s grandfather, sent a Royal Navy cruiser to evacuate Philip’s family and he was whisked to safety in a cot made from an orange box. Later, he rarely saw his parents and went to school in Germany and Britain.

Philip has had a long association with the military and had once had promising military career. He joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1939 and served during World War II, winning mention in dispatches for service aboard the battleship HMS Valiant at Cape Matapan, on Greece’s Peloponnesian peninsula. He rose to the level of commander.

Two years after the war ended, Philip married the future queen at Westminster Abbey when she was 21 and he was 26. He renounced his Greek title and King George VI made him the Duke of Edinburgh. His career came to an abrupt end with George’s death in 1952. 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.

And ever since, the milestones just kept falling.

Philip has given 5,496 speeches, written 14 books and gone on 637 solo visits overseas.

He’s championed environmental and conservation issues, and has interests in science, engineering and industry. An accomplished sportsman, he played polo regularly until 1971. He earned his RAF wings in 1953, his helicopter wings in 1956 and his private pilot’s license in 1959.

All that activity has led to overall good health. But Philip has been admitted to the hospital on a number of occasions in the last few years for abdominal surgery, bladder infections and a blocked coronary artery.

Many of his health issues are related to sports. He has arthritis in his right wrist and broke a bone in his ankle from playing polo. He developed a rheumatic condition of the tendon in the hand after a taking a fall in polo.

He takes the stairs rather than elevators and can still fit into the uniform he wore for his wedding. He was only seen wearing hearing aids for the first time at a palace reception in 2014 at the age of 93.

The palace says his health wasn’t behind the retirement decision.

Philip, who enjoys a slightly wicked turn of phrase, has poked fun at himself and his advancing years. In a letter to The Oldie magazine in 2011, he said he appreciated being named “Consort of the Year.”

“There is nothing like it for morale to be reminded that the years are passing — ever more quickly — and that bits are beginning to drop off the ancient frame,” he wrote. “But it is nice to be remembered at all.”
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, retires from public appearances at the age of 96, after having completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952.