Britain's Prince Philip dies at 99
Britain's Prince Philip, consort of Queen Elizabeth, has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace said on Friday (April 9).
These were among the latest images of the Duke, a Greek prince and blunt-speaking naval officer.
He and the queen had been shielding at Windsor Castle during the pandemic. Both were vaccinated.
The palace said: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband."
"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."
Though outspoken and irascible, Philip lived in the shadow of the woman he married at Westminster Abbey in 1947.
He always walked a step behind his queen at the thousands of ceremonial events they attended during her reign, the longest in British history.
In a rare personal tribute, the queen once called him her "strength and stay."
Though he had no official role, Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was one of the most influential figures in the royal family for more than 70 years.
While often criticized for his demeanor and for remarks that caused offense, those close to the family say he brought wit, impatient intelligence and unflagging energy to the monarchy.
Often facing a deeply traditional court, he reformed the palace and tried to harness the growing power of television to project royal influence.
He pushed for the queen's coronation in 1953 to be televised live and behind the scenes removed outdated behaviour in the palace he regarded as stuffy. He was the first royal to do a TV interview.
The royal couple had four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward.
