Prince Philip is to Completely Retire From Royal Duties aged 95 After Supporting His Wife in Public for 70 Years, Buckingham Palace Announces After Top-Secret Emergency Meeting With Royal Staff
- The Duke of Edinburgh announces his own retirement from royal duties after secret emergency meeting
- Prince Philip made decision himself and will step back as he and Queen reach 70 year wedding anniversary
- The Queen will continue public duties as she has always vowed to serve her country for as long as she lives
- Palace spokesman said: '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'
- All royal staff from across the UK, including Balmoral and Sandringham, were called to London to hear news
- It fuelled feverish rumours around the world about Queen or Prince Philip's health but both are 'fine'
- Royal couple were back to work an hour after announcement attending a church service at St James' Palace
Daily Mail/BBC 4 May 2017
The 95-year-old Duke of Edinburgh's well-earned retirement this autumn was announced at a top secret emergency meeting called by Buckingham Palace today and attended by other royals including Princess Anne. The difficult decision was made by Philip himself and he will retire just before he and the Queen reach their 70 year platinum wedding anniversary in November.
All staff from the royal household across Britain were called to London today, which caused fevered speculation around the world about the health of the Queen and her husband. But Philip - Britain's longest serving consort in history - is 'fine' and has decided to end his formal royal duties having supported his wife in public for 70 years.
The Queen will continue her public engagements as she has always vowed to serve her country for as long as she lives. In a statement Buckingham palace said this morning:
'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'.
The difficult decision was made by Philip himself and he will retire just before he and the Queen reach their 70 year platinum wedding anniversary in November.
But Philip - Britain's longest serving consort in history - is 'fine' and has decided to end his formal royal duties having supported his wife in public since 1947.
The Queen will continue her public engagements as she has always vowed to serve her country for as long as she lives.
'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'.
Back to work: Prince Philip and the Queen arrive at St James's Palace, London, for an Order of Merit service today shortly after announcing his own retirement today
Decision: The 95-year-old Duke of Edinburgh's well-earned retirement this autumn was announced at a top secret emergency meeting called by Buckingham Palace today (pictured leaving this morning)
Standing down: Prince Philip (pictured at Lords yesterday) is to retire from public royal duties at the age of 95 from the autumn and has the full support of the Queen, it was revealed today
Support: Princess Anne (pictured leaving the Palace today) was among the royals who went to the Palace to hear the announcement of her father's retirement
Announcement: All staff from the royal household across Britain were called to London today and taken to the Palace by bus to hear the news
Gossip: Ahead of the announcement there was speculation that Philip or the Queen's health had failed. But the Royal Standard flag over Buckingham Palace (pictured today remained at full mast meaning that there has been no death in the royal family
Quote:
Revealed: This is the Palace's announcement that revealed Philip's 70 years of full time engagements will end later this year
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