LONDON – Prince Philip, a constant presence on the side of Queen Elizabeth II and the longest-serving consort of a monarch in British history, has passed away. He was 99.
“The royal family, along with people around the world, mourns his loss,” the family said in a statement.
Born Prince of Greece and Denmark on the island of Corfu in 1921, he married the Queen – then Princess Elizabeth – in 1947, when he was 26 and she was 21. They were third cousins, both descendants of Queen Victoria.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, spent much of his adult life walking a few steps behind his wife and accompanying her to state dinners, garden parties and charity events. Behind the scenes, he was credited with working to encourage the monarchy to be more open and accessible to the British public. He was also affiliated with some 800 organizations, including numerous charities.
Prince Philip fulfilled his public duties until August 2017, when he made his last official appearance at a Royal Marine parade at Buckingham Palace. Known for his sometimes outspoken remarks, Prince Philip treated his role as consort as a duty above all else.