LONDON – Prince Philip, a constant presence with Queen Elizabeth II and the longest consort of a monarch in British history, has died. He was 99 years old.
“The Royal Family joins people around the world to mourn their 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 still Princess Elizabeth – in 1947, when he was 26 and she was 21. They were third cousins, both descendants of Queen Victoria.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, spent much of his adult life walking a step or two behind his wife, accompanying her to state dinners, garden parties and charitable events. Behind the scenes, he was credited with working to push the monarchy to be more open and accessible to the British public. He has also been affiliated with about 800 organizations, including many charities.
Prince Philip performed his public duties until August 2017, when he made his final official appearance at a Royal Marine parade at Buckingham Palace. Known for his sometimes sincere remarks, Prince Philip treated his role as a consort as an act of duty above all else.