Prince Philip is to retire from all public royal duties at the age of 95 and ‘has the full support of the Queen’, it was revealed today.
The 95-year-old Duke of Edinburgh’s well-earned retirement was announced at a top secret emergency meeting called by Buckingham Palace today.
It caused fevered speculation around the world about the future of the Queen and her husband – but it has emerged that Philip has decided to end his royal duties.
‘Prince Philip will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, both individually and accompanying The Queen. Thereafter, The Duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements, although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time.
‘The Duke of Edinburgh is Patron, President or a member of over 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated, although he will no longer play an active role by attending engagements.
‘Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the Royal Family.’
The Mail revealed last night that Her Majesty’s most senior aides called her entire household from across Britain to London for a 10am summit ahead of a royal announcement.
But royal sources said that internet rumours about the Queen’s or the Duke of Edinburgh’s health faltering are ‘wide of the mark’ and the couple are ‘fine’.
As speculation swirled yesterday the spokesman refused to say what the meeting is about but added: ‘There’s no cause for alarm’ and the Royal Standard remains at full mast over Buckingham Palace today, meaning there has been no death in the royal family.
The Queen met Theresa May in London yesterday to dissolve Parliament for the General Election and Prince Philip opened a new stand at Lords cricket ground and both looked in rude health. Both have royal engagements in the capital later.
Servants from royal residences across the country have been ordered to London and will be addressed this morning at 10am by the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior officer of the Royal Household, as well as Her Majesty’s right-hand man, Private Secretary Sir Christopher Geidt.
Even her longest serving staff were left in the dark about why the meeting was being called but multiple sources said it was ‘highly unusual’ and had sparked fevered talk about an imminent announcement concerning the monarch or her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Royal experts have suggested that it could be that Buckingham Palace is to be closed for a £369million refurbishment and the royal family will move to Sandringham or Balmoral permanently. Others have claimed that Prince Philip could be about to announce his retirement from royal duties.
‘Everyone is on tenterhooks,’ said one.
‘Although meetings involving the entire royal household are occasionally called, the way this has been done at the eleventh hour is highly unusual and suggests that there is something major to be disseminated.
‘But at the moment, only those closest to her genuinely know what on earth this is all about.’
The Queen’s loyal former press secretary Dickie Arbiter said it was unlikely to do with the royal couple’s health.
He tweeted: ‘It could well be about the Buckingham Palace refurbishment’ adding that the meeting was ‘nothing unusual’.
Source: Prince Philip to ‘retire’ from royal duties at 95 | Daily Mail Online
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