Queen’s most loyal subject dies aged 99
Prince Philip, husband of the Queen, has died. He was 99.
Buckingham Palace said late last night that ‘‘His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning (UK time) at Windsor Castle’’.
The World War II naval officer-turned-royal consort had been a highprofile member of the British royal family since 1947.
He once described himself as “the world’s most experienced plaque-unveiler”. Since Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne, he made over 22,000 solo public engagements and delivered over 5000 speeches.
Throughout his lifetime, Philip – known as the Duke of Edinburgh – repeatedly courted controversy with his remarks.
In 2017, Philip, then aged 95, announced he would be stepping down from his royal duties, after years suffering from heart disease and other ailments.
In April 2018, he had hip replacement surgery and had since been largely absent from public life, including missing his great-grandson Prince Louis’ christening. But he did attend
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May of that year.
In February this year, at the age of
99, he was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London. Buckingham Palace said the move was ‘‘a precautionary measure’’ taken on the advice of Philip’s doctor.
His illness was not related to Covid19. The Queen and Philip were vaccinated against the coronavirus in early January.
Late last night, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed New Zealand’s sorrow at his death.