Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has passed away at the age of 99 at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
In a tweet posted on the Royal Family’s Twitter account, Buckingham Palace said he had “passed away peacefully” on the morning of 9 April, 2021.
Born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark on 10 June, 1921 in Corfu, Greece, his family fled the country during his infancy during the Greco-Turkish War.
It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/XOIDQqlFPn
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 9, 2021
Philip first met Princess Elizabeth in 1939, when he was completing a term at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, UK.
Philip continued to serve with the British Armed Forces during World War II.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited for an official tour and Philip was asked to escort Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret.
Elizabeth and Philip’s engagement was announced to the public on July 10, 1947.
They were married at Westminster Abbey on Nov. 20, 1947 and the ceremony was broadcast on BBC radio to 200 million listeners around the world. Philip was given the titles Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich shortly before the wedding.
Princess Elizabeth enjoys a stroll with The Duke of Edinburgh in their first public appearance since their wedding.
Image: PA Images via Getty Images
When Elizabeth became queen in 1952, Philip left active military service. He was made a British prince in 1957.
In February 2021, Prince Philip was admitted to King Edward VII’s hospital in central London and spent a month undergoing treatment for a pre-existing heart condition. He left hospital on March 16 after undergoing a procedure.
The Duke of Edinburgh is survived by his wife of 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II, and their four children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren — including Prince William and Prince Harry — and eight great-grandchildren including George, Charlotte, Louis, and Archie.
August 1951: Princess Elizabeth with Prince Philip and their children Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
Image: Keystone / Getty Images
In recent years, Prince Philip was portrayed onscreen by Tobias Menzies in Season 3 and 4 of The Crown, following Matt Smith’s tenure in the role during Season 1 and 2.
Plans for Prince Philip’s funeral have not yet been announced.