Prince Philip keeps calm, but won’t carry on royal duty
LONDON — For decades, he has stood loyally at the side of Queen Elizabeth II and made thousands of solo appearances as well. He calls himself the world’s most experienced unveiler of plaques.
Brusque, avuncular, and with a reputation for being overly plain-speaking, he has been eligible for a government pension since June 10, 1986, yet still soldiered on.
Now, at age 95, Prince Philip says he is retiring from royal duties.
The queen’s husband said Thursday he will carry out scheduled engagements for the next few months but won’t take on new ones starting in the fall.
His retirement announcement followed a night of frenzied speculation caused by news reports about an “emergency” palace meeting Thursday.
Buckingham Palace said Prince Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, made the decision to retire with the full support of the queen.
Tall, craggy-faced and always elegantly dressed, Prince Philip is as famous for his occasional off-color gaffes and one-liners as he is for his devotion to the monarch, and he joked about his retirement at an Order of Merit reception at St. James’s Palace.
“I’m sorry to hear you’re standing down,” said 88year-old mathematician Michael Atiyah said, using the British expression for retirement.
“Well, I can’t stand up much longer,” Prince Philip replied. He walked with his head held high, despite his self-deprecating claim.
Prince Philip has made earlier concessions to age, announcing when he turned 90 in 2011 that he was “winding down” his official duties. He said at the time that he felt he had “done my bit.”
Since then, he’s had some serious health issues, including a blocked heart artery, and has been hospitalized several times.
There were no indications that Prince Philip suffers from any new health problems. The statement indicated Prince Philip will carry out previously scheduled engagements between now and August.
Few would begrudge him a chance to take it easy after more than 22,000 solo royal engagements since Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952.
He quickly discovered he had no defined constitutional role and had to carve his own path, making it his top priority to support his wife in her considerable public endeavors.
While few were surprised that Prince Philip is stepping back, tourists outside the imposing gates of Buckingham Palace expressed unhappiness about the news.
Officials said the queen, who turned 91 last month, will carry on her royal engagements with the support of the royal family. She has indicated that she does not plan to retire, saying it her duty to serve for life.
Queen Elizabeth has, however, reduced her workload considerably in recent years as her children and grandchildren have moved to the fore.