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| Prince Philip to step down from carrying out royal engagements | Prince Philip to step down from carrying out royal engagements |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Duke of Edinburgh is retiring from royal duties this autumn, Buckingham Palace has 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 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. | 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. | 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". | In the statement, the spokesman said the duke "may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time". |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| By Peter Hunt, BBC royal correspondent | By Peter Hunt, BBC royal correspondent |
| This is Prince Philip acting on his own advice, nearly six years later. | 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". | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | As an outsider - who was viewed with suspicion by the aristocracy - he struggled at first. |
| To his critics, he is a gaffe-prone prince. | 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. | 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. | It's little wonder then that the Queen once called him her strength and stay. |
| Read more from Peter Hunt | Read more from Peter Hunt |
| 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. | 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. |
| He added: "The Queen is going to continue, of that there is no doubt. She will continue, albeit with a somewhat lightened workload." | He added: "The Queen is going to continue, of that there is no doubt. She will continue, albeit with a somewhat lightened workload." |
| He stressed there were "no health considerations" behind the move - other than the normal health precautions for a man in his mid-90s. | He stressed there were "no health considerations" behind the move - other than the normal health precautions for a man in his mid-90s. |
| 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". | 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 around the world over the years. | He is famed for off-the-cuff remarks he has made at royal engagements around the world over the years. |
| Prime Minister Theresa May said she offered the country's "deepest gratitude and good wishes" to the duke following his announcement. | Prime Minister Theresa May said she offered the country's "deepest gratitude and good wishes" to the duke following his announcement. |
| She added: "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 added: "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." |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wished the duke "all the best in his well-earned retirement", saying: "He has dedicated his life to supporting the Queen and our country with a clear sense of public duty. | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wished the duke "all the best in his well-earned retirement", saying: "He has dedicated his life to supporting the Queen and our country with a clear sense of public duty. |
| "His Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme has inspired young people for more than 60 years in over 140 nations." | "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. | 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. |
| Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "Perhaps 30 years later than most people retire, the Duke of Edinburgh is announcing that that is what he is intending to do, and I think it is a moment to celebrate and take stock of the enormous achievements that he has made in his life so far." | Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "Perhaps 30 years later than most people retire, the Duke of Edinburgh is announcing that that is what he is intending to do, and I think it is a moment to celebrate and take stock of the enormous achievements that he has made in his life so far." |
| Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the "steadfast support" the duke had given the Queen was "hugely admirable". | Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the "steadfast support" the duke had given the Queen was "hugely admirable". |
| "He has always served with enthusiasm and a healthy sense of humour," she said. "I have always thoroughly enjoyed any time that I have spent in his company." | "He has always served with enthusiasm and a healthy sense of humour," she said. "I have always thoroughly enjoyed any time that I have spent in his company." |
| Still on the diary | Still on the diary |
| Buckingham Palace publishes details of official engagements up to eight weeks in advance. For the Duke of Edinburgh, these include: | Buckingham Palace publishes details of official engagements up to eight weeks in advance. For the Duke of Edinburgh, these include: |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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: | To date, the duke has: |
| 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. | 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." | "He's slowing down and I'm sure we will still hear and see of him from time to time." |
| On Thursday, he and the Queen are attending a service for members of the Order of Merit at the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace before hosting a lunch. | On Thursday, he and the Queen are attending a service for members of the Order of Merit at the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace before hosting a lunch. |
| Have you ever worked with the Duke of Edinburgh? Share your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you ever worked with the Duke of Edinburgh? Share your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |