Prince Philip will join the Queen at bridge opening

The Duke of Edinburgh is to make his first official appearance with the Queen since retiring from solo royal engagements by attending the opening of a new bridge.

Philip bid farewell to his own royal jobs at the beginning of August when he celebrated the fundraising achievements of Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen’s consort was pictured doffing his bowler hat to acknowledge the marching marines in the palace’s forecourt, as he called time on his personal public duties.

But palace officials have stressed from time to time he may accompany the Queen at her events, and on September 4 he will join her when she opens the Queensferry Crossing.

The £1.35 billion, 1.7-mile long crossing is a replacement for the Forth Road Bridge across the Forth between the Lothians and Fife.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will also attend the event alongside construction workers and there will be a blessing by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland.

Prince Philip had announced in May that he would be retiring from solo royal engagements, a decision that was fully supported by the Queen and one that had no connection to any health issues.

The Queen’s public schedule will continue as normal but other members of the royal family will step up their support for her in her role as head of state.

When Prince Philip retired on August 2, he had carried out 22,219 solo engagements since 1952.

Over the decades he had made 637 solo overseas visits, including 229 visits to 67 Commonwealth countries and 408 visits to 76 other countries.

The Queen will officially open the Queensferry Crossing on September 4.