Prince Philip has announced that he is retiring from all public royal duties at the age of 95, after years of dedicated services to Britain. The Queen has given her full support for him to step down.
The Duke of Edinburgh's well-earned retirement this autumn was announced at a top secret emergency meeting called by Buckingham Palace and was reportedly attended by other royals including his daughter Princess Anne.
The difficult decision was made by the Prince himself and he has decided to step back just before he and the Queen reach their 70 year platinum wedding anniversary in November 2017.
The Queen will continue her public engagements as always.
In a statement Buckingham palace said: 'His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year. In taking this decision, The Duke has the full support of The Queen.
'The Duke of Edinburgh is Patron, President or a member of over 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated, although he will no longer play an active role by attending engagements'.
