BREAKING NEWS: The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, has died aged 99.
A familiar face on the Isle of Wight and a key part of the Cowes sailing scene, Prince Philip passed away at Windsor Castle today (Friday), Buckingham Palace has announced.
He had celebrated his 99th birthday in June 2020.
A statement from Buckingham 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."
He was taken to hospital over Christmas in 2011 for treatment for a blocked artery.
In 2012 he was admitted to hospital during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a bladder infection, and in 2013 had an exploratory operation on his abdomen.
But it was not until May 2017, after carrying out more than 20,000 solo public engagements, that the then 96-year-old retired from his own programme of royal duties, occasionally stepping out to support the Queen for big events.
The Duke was married to Queen Elizabeth II for more than 70 years and became the longest-serving consort in British history.
Admiral of the Royal Yacht Squadron (the Queen is its Patron), the Prince Consort visited Cowes in August 2016, for an award presentation to Spinlock, which designs and manufactures sailing equipment.
He made a dramatic entrance by helicopter at Osborne.
The Duke of Edinburgh presented CEO Chris Hill with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise International Trade.
He also visited Northwood House, to meet with volunteers and those involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. And he spent time at the Classic Boat Museum and the Island Sailing Club.
Prince Philip was born in Greece on 10 June 1921. He was educated in France, Germany and the UK, before he joined the British Royal Navy aged 18. The Duke of Edinburgh married Queen Elizabeth on 20 November 1947.
In 2012, Prince Philip visited Cowes with the Queen (pictured above) as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
In 2015, Prince Philp joined Princess Anne, Albert II of Monaco, Prince Michael of Kent and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece in Cowes for a fleet review. A flotilla of more than 180 yachts sailed through the Solent and there were parades and marches on the shore.
The Prince’s final solo public duty before retiring in August 2017 was to take the salute from a group of fundraising Royal Marines.
In May 2017, the Duke of Edinburgh retired from royal engagements after more than 65 years supporting the monarch in her role as head of state and attending events for his own charities and organisations.
No official details have been released yet about the Duke's funeral, but it is understood he will be given a royal ceremonial funeral rather than a state funeral, in line with his wishes.
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