Duke pulls royal plug

THE Queen’s husband, 96yearold Prince Philip, has formally retired from public life, marking the event at a parade on the forecourt at Buckingham Palace overnight.

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, announced in May he would no longer undertake a program of public events.

While he may appear with Queen Elizabeth, 91, from time to time, last night’s parade by the Royal Marines marked his final royal appearance in his own right. The Duke was due to appear at the parade in his position of Captain General of the Royal Marines.