Prince Philip is to make his last public engagement today after 65 years in the spotlight. The elderly Duke of Edinburgh has been struggling with his health for a number of years and the decision to retire from public duties was made at the start of the summer.
His last engagement - his 22,219th as royal consort - will be a meeting with Royal Marines who have run 16.64 miles per day for 100 days for charity, in reference to the foundation year of the Marines, 1664. He will attend a parade and meet participants in London. Prince Philip is Captain General of the Royal Marines, a title that is expected to pass to his grandson Prince Harry.
Credit: PA
He began public duties back in 1952, when the Queen acceded to the throne on the death of her father, King George VI.
As the husband of the monarch - they married in 1947 - he has stood by her side for 70 years and is involved in a huge a range of organisations from the Royal Navy, where he is Lord High Admiral, down to 785 other charities.
His titular Duke of Edinburgh's Award has been taken by 4 million people across over 100 countries worldwide.
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The 96-year-old consort to the Queen has suffered from a succession of physical issues, including a brief spell in hospital in June, which caused him to miss the State Opening of Parliament. He was previously too ill to travel to Sandringham in Norfolk, where the Royals traditionally spend Christmas.
Shaking hands with French cyclist Jose Beyaert in 1948. Credit: PA
The Prince is expected to begin his retirement by flying to Balmoral Castle in Scotland next week, where the Royal Family traditionally spend the late summer.
It is expected that the Prince will continue royal duties at his choosing. The Queen's schedule remains as normal.
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Philip's career as a royal consort has often been marked by gaffes and missteps, most notably when he told a group of British expats: "If you stay here much longer you'll all be slitty-eyed" while on a trip to China.
He also asked a Scottish driving instructor: "How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to pass the test?" and enquired, "Still throwing spears?" of an Indiginous Australian.
At the Aga Khan School, Pakistan, 1997. Credit: PA
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However, after over six decades in the public eye, he remains a popular member of the Royal Family.
"He's been such a stable character in all our lives - he's always there and he's always been there for the Queen and I think we're very, very lucky to have him" said Lady Myra Butler, who has known Philip since childhood, to the BBC.
""I'm sure that he won't disappear, he will be greatly missed by everybody."
Source: BBC
Featured Image Credit: PA