Queen Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip, will stop carrying out public engagements this fall, Buckingham Palace announced Thursday.
The palace said in a statement that Philip, who is 95, has the full support of the Queen in his decision. He will continue heading numerous charitable organizations but will not play an active role attending engagements.
An announcement regarding The Duke of Edinburgh. https://t.co/SF1bgo68Un pic.twitter.com/TO9mR70xTk
In the past Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has suffered heart problems but has maintained a vigorous public schedule. The palace did not offer any new details about his health.
The Queen, the world’s longest-reigning living monarch who celebrated her 91st birthday in April, will continue to carry out a full program of official engagements, it added.
The announcement was made following a meeting of senior royal staff at Buckingham Palace, news of which prompted speculation about the health of the royals. However a well-placed source said there was no cause for concern about the welfare of the Queen or Philip, who turns 96 next month.
The couple, who are due to celebrate their platinum, or 70th, wedding anniversary in November have been cutting their workload in recent years, passing on many responsibilities to son and heir Prince Charles, and grandsons, Princes William and Harry.
Both carried out official duties on Wednesday, with Elizabeth meeting Prime Minister Theresa May to formally agree to the dissolution of parliament ahead of June’s election while Philip opened a new stand at Lord’s Cricket Ground in central London.
Prime Minister Theresa May paid tribute on Thursday to Prince Philip for his contribution to Britain and beyond, his “steadfast support” of the Queen and for his patronage of hundreds of charities and good causes.
“On behalf of the whole country, I want to offer our deepest gratitude and good wishes to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh following today’s announcement that he will stand down from public duties in the Autumn,” she said in a statement.
The announcement was made following a meeting of senior royal staff at Buckingham Palace, news of which prompted speculation about the health of the royals. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
