THAT’S IT CHAPS AS DUKE RETIRES WITH A FINAL LAUGH

IT was his 22,219th solo engagement in 65 years of public service – and, officially, his last.

Typically, however, the Duke of Edinburgh showed not a whiff of emotion as he walked off into his well-deserved retirement at the age of 96.

Instead there was just a modest wave of his hand to acknowledge the spontaneous cheer that rang out over the gravelled forecourt at London’s Buckingham Palace from the crowds outside as he met Royal Marines who had completed the 1664 Global Challenge charity event.

As part of the challenge, the Marines ran 1664 miles. And Philip being Philip, it was the opportunity for one last pithy aside.

“He said we were mad for running that distance,” said Corporal Jamie Gingell.

And then, as the Royal Marines Band of Plymouth played a rousing rendition of For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow, his bowler-hatted figure disappeared without even so much as a backward glance.

Picture: AFP Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, attends a parade to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge at the Buckingham Palace forecourt in London.