Buckingham Palace announces Prince Philip has died aged 99
Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II's husband, has died aged 99. In a statement shortly after midday, the palace said: "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle." The Duke of Edinburgh, who was the longest-serving consort in British history, had returned to Windsor Castle on 16 March after a month in hospital.
"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty the Queen announces the death of her beloved husband," the palace said. "The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said he "inspired the lives of countless young people. Speaking at Downing Street, the prime minister said that the duke had "earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world".
Meanwhile, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said he "consistently put the interests of others ahead of his own and, in so doing, provided an outstanding example of Christian service".
The flag at Buckingham Palace was lowered to half-mast and a notice was posted on the gates following the announcement of the duke's death. Bunches of daffodils, tulips, roses and lilies were among floral tributes placed by people outside the palace, while crowds began to gather at Windsor Castle.
The BBC's royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said it was "a moment of real national sadness" and "a moment of sadness, most particularly of course, for the Queen losing her husband of 73 years, a bigger span of years than most of us can imagine". He said Prince Philip had made "a huge contribution to the success of the Queen's reign", describing the duke as "utterly loyal in his belief in the importance of the role that the Queen was fulfilling, and in his duty to support her. It was the importance of the solidity of that relationship, of their marriage, that was so crucial to the success of her reign," he added.
The prince married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen. Last month, the duke left King Edward VII's hospital in central London after a month-long stay for treatment, as he underwent a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at another London hospital, St Bartholomew's.
As news of the duke's death rippled through this royal borough, people started to gather outside the gates of Windsor castle. There is a sombre mood in Windsor as people quietly reflect on the news of the duke's death. It was here where he spent his last weeks after being discharged from hospital. His last days spent with his wife, the Queen.
Prince Philip was the longest-serving consort of any British monarch in history.
Prince Philip and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.
Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on 10th June 1921. His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, a younger son of King George I of the Hellenes. His mother, Princess Alice, was a daughter of Prince Louis of Battenberg and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
Politicians across the UK were united in mourning following the announcement of the duke's death. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the UK had "lost an extraordinary public servant", while Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said his "long contribution to public life in Scotland will leave a profound mark on its people". Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford said the duke "served the crown with selfless devotion and generosity of spirit".
The palace said further announcements would be made "in due course".