Prince Philip (99) dies

Prince Philip. Photo: Getty Images/Gallo Images

Prince Philip (99), the Duke of Edinburgh, has died.

Buckingham Palace released a statement saying Prince Philip died this morning, April 9.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

“Further announcements will be made in due course,” a statement read on www.royal.uk.

He would have celebrated his 100th birthday in two months.

Photo: Carl Court-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Photo: Carl Court-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Philip had recently spent a month in hospital with an infection and had treatment for a heart condition.

According to Omid Schobie, BAZAAR.com’s Royal Editor at Large, Prince Philip will not receive a State Funeral (in line with his wishes) and his body will not be Lying-in-State. “Instead, the Duke will lie at Windsor Castle until his funeral in St George’s Chapel. Due to pandemic, public have been ‘regretfully requested’ not to attend.”

The announcement of his death has been placed at the gates of Buckingham Palace. It will, however, be removed shortly to avoid crowds gathering at the gate (due to the pandemic and current national lockdown).

The duke and the Queen celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in November 2020.

The couple first met in 1934. They got engaged on 9 July 1947 and four months later they were married on 20 November at Westminster Abbey. A total of 2 000 guests were invited to the ceremony.

Before the wedding, Prince Philip was created The Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich of Greenwich in the County of London.