Prince jokes about retirement
Can anyone in Britain really imagine Prince Philip retired and puttering around the palace?
In fact, the 95-year-old Duke of Edinburgh joked about the big-news-that-wasn’t-big news Thursday at — where else? — an official engagement with his wife of nearly 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II (who’s vowed she’s never going to retire).
Philip, who turns 96 in June, was at his customary place behind the queen as they attended the Order of Merit service at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace in London. His quick sense of humor seemed intact.
When a well-wisher expressed sadness at his decision to “stand down,” Philip joked: “I can’t stand up much longer.”
But all kidding aside, citizens of the United Kingdom are going to have to get used to seeing their queen, 91, continue her full schedule without her “strength and stay” consort by her side, as he has been through her 65 years on the throne.
According to the palace statement, he will carry out previously scheduled engagements between now and August, but will not accept new invitations for engagements. Then came the kicker: “He may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time.”
That’s a big caveat for Britain’s oldest and longest-serving royal consort and the man who has carried out 22,000 solo engagements, according to the official palace count. In recent years, he’s been handling up to 300 engagements a year, often outworking his grandchildren.
Five years ago, Philip acknowledged in an interview that he was nearing his “sell-by date” and that his memory for names was fading.
“I reckon I’ve done my bit. I want to enjoy myself for a bit now. With less responsibility, less rushing about, less preparation, less trying to think of something to say,” he said.
“Yes, I’m just sort of winding down.”
Finally.