LONDON – Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, Prince Philip, who recently spent more than a month in hospital and underwent a heart procedure, died today, announced Buckingham Palace. He was 99.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty the Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” it said in a statement.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
“The royal family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
The palace said further announcements will be made “in due course”.
The Union Jack is being flown at half-mast over the palace in tribute to the late royal.
Fears over the health of the Duke of Edinburgh, as he was formally known, were heightened after his recent hospitalisation.
He was discharged on March 16 following what was described as a successful procedure for a pre-existing condition and treatment for an unspecified infection.
He was first admitted on February 16 on the advice of his doctor after he complained of feeling unwell.
Philip had returned to Windsor Castle, west of the city here, where he had been isolating with the queen – Britain’s longest-serving monarch – since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He had been due to turn 100 in June.
News of his death saw television channels interrupting regular programmes and starting special coverage marking his life.
The BBC announced his death and played the national anthem God Save the Queen.
Philip had increasingly struggled with his health in recent years, and had retired from public life.
In the run-up to Christmas 2011, he was taken to hospital by helicopter after suffering chest pains.
The Greek-born former naval officer was treated for a blocked coronary artery and had a stent fitted. – AFP, April 9, 2021
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