Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, died at the age of 99

The Duke had been admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London Hospital on 17 February after feeling unwell. Later, the palace confirmed that he was being treated for an infection. On March 1 he was transferred to St. John’s Hospital. Bartholomew, also from London, where doctors continued to treat the infection and perform tests to detect a pre-existing heart condition. After heart surgery, the Duke was discharged from hospital in mid-March.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to the Duke, saying that “the affection of generations has been earned here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world.”

Philip, also known by his official title of Duke of Edinburgh, was the oldest British consort. He married then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947 after a courtship that enchanted a country that was still reeling from the ravages of World War II.

During his seven decades of service, Philip often accompanied the queen on royal engagements and directed thousands of his own solo appearances. He once referred to himself as “the most experienced plate developer in the world”, while the queen praised him as his “constant strength and guide”.

The Duke was known for his off-point statements, which often showed quick wit, but which he occasionally set aside, sometimes dramatically. Philip continued to make public appearances until the age of 90, retiring only in August 2017.

He supported various philanthropic efforts and partnered with nearly 800 organizations. He founded the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme, a youth development program that operates in more than 130 countries and territories around the world.

After retiring, Philip spent much of his time on the Queen’s Sandringham farm. He was occasionally seen in later years at private family events such as the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Princess Eugenia with Jack Brooksbank, both at Windsor Castle.

Philip’s advanced age meant that his health had been the subject of great media interest in recent years. In December 2019 he was taken to hospital as a “precautionary measure” for what Buckingham Palace described as a “pre-existing” condition. He had previously been admitted to hospital on several occasions for a variety of reasons, including a hip replacement and for the treatment of bladder infections.

The Duke was born to Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark on the Greek island of Corfu in 1921. He left Greece at 18 months with his family when King Constantine was forced to abdicate after a revolt by the military forces of Greece. The family moved first to Paris and later, in 1928, to England.

Philip had an itinerant childhood, educated differently in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

He became a naval officer decorated for his service during World War II and, when peace returned, rekindled a previous friendship with Elizabeth that quickly blossomed into a public romance.

To marry, the Duke relinquished his Greek title, became a naturalized British subject, and took the surname Mountbatten, derived from his mother’s family side. The marriage ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey in 1947. He and Elizabeth had four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward.

Tributes to the Duke have flooded in from all over the world, including the Commonwealth nations of India, Australia and Canada. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had “distinguished his military career and was at the forefront of many community service initiatives. May his soul rest in peace.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Philip “embodied a generation we will never see again.” Canadian Justin Trudeau said that “Prince Philip was a man of great purpose and conviction, motivated by a sense of duty to others. He will be fondly remembered as a constant in our queen’s life.”