DUKE CRACKS A JOKE AS HE QUITS AT 95
PRINCE Philip retired from royal duties yesterday – but not before cracking a joke about his decision.
The Duke of Edinburgh hit back with a quip after a man said he was sorry he was standing down with: “Well I can’t stand up for much longer!”
The jape had guests roaring with laughter as he joined the Queen for an Order of Merit service at St James’ Palace.
It came just an hour after Philip, 95, announced he will end all public royal duties in the autumn.
His retirement comes after 70 years’ service to Britain and the Queen, who has given her “full support” to his decision.
The news was first revealed privately to royal household staff who were called to a top secret emergency meeting at Buckingham Palace.
Philip made the decision himself and will step back just before he and the Queen reach their 70-year platinum wedding anniversary in November.
The Queen, 91, will continue her public engagements.
Tributes
The Duke and the Queen were straight back into their work commitments, attending the Order of Merit service while Philip also opened a new stand at Lord’s cricket ground.
Prime Minister Theresa May led tributes, saying: “I want to offer our deepest gratitude and good wishes to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh following today’s announcement he will stand down.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “He has dedicated his life to supporting the Queen and our country with a clear sense of public duty.”
In recent years he has struggled with illness. In 2011 he had surgery for a blocked coronary artery and in 2012 he was treated for a bladder infection.
After his announcement, Labour’s Chi Onwurah sparked anger by posting a jibe.
Ms Onwurah wrote on Twitter: “Congratulations to Prince Philip on retiring in financial security at time of his choosing from a job he enjoys #forthemanynotthefew #waspi.”
Her tweet referred to the “Waspi women” campaign which calls for women who have lost out by having their state pension age raised to be given more compensation.
But Nadhim Zahawi, standing for re-election as the Tory MP for Stratford-on-Avon, hit out at the tweet saying: “That is shameful and wrong.”