LONDON: Prince Philip, a constant presence alongside Queen Elizabeth II and the longest-serving consort to a monarch in British history, has died. He was 99 years old.
“The royal family joins people from all over the world in mourning their loss,” the family said in a statement.
Born prince of Greece and Denmark on the island of Corfu in 1921, he married the queen — then still Princess Elizabeth — in 1947, when she was 26 and she was 21. They were third cousins, both descendants of Queen Victoria.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, spent much of his adult life walking one or two steps behind his wife, accompanying her to state dinners, garden parties and charity events. Behind the scenes, he was credited with his task of pushing the monarchy to be more open and accessible to the British public. He was also affiliated with about 800 organizations, including numerous charities.
Prince Philip held public office until August 2017, when he made his final official appearance at a Royal Marine parade at Buckingham Palace. Known for his sometimes clear statements, Prince Philip treated his role as consort as an act of duty above anything else.