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Prince Philip to step down from carrying out royal engagements | Prince Philip to step down from carrying out royal engagements |
(35 minutes 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. | 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. | "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 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". |
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 | 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 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 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. | 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 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". | Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the "steadfast support" the duke had given the Queen was "hugely admirable". |
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." |
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 |