LONDON: Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, passed away at the age of 99 on Friday, Buckingham Palace announced.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the palace said in a statement.
The statement said, “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family joins with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
The Duke of Edinburgh, as he was officially known, had been by his wife’s side throughout her 69-year reign, the longest in British history, during which time he earned a reputation for a tough and a propensity for occasional gaffes.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh. “Prince Philip earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth and around the world,” PM Boris added.
Philip spent four weeks in hospital earlier this year for treatment for an infection to have a heart procedure, but returned to Windsor in early March.
After retiring from royal duties in 2017, Prince Philip had several stays in hospital. His longest and most recent was this year. On March 16 he was released from London’s King Edward VII hospital, after being admitted a month before as a “precautionary measure”.
