His Royal Highness Prince Philip has passed away aged 99.
The Palace made the official announcement today, stating: “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. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
The Duke of Edinburgh leaves behind his wife, Queen Elizabeth II; his four children; Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and his eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
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Prince Philip was a proud grandfather to Prince William, Prince Harry, Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor. Peter Phillips and James, Viscount Severn.
And proud great-grandfather to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, Isla Phillips, Savannah Phillips, Mia Tindall and Lena Tindall.
WATCH: Prince Philip through the years. Post continues after the video…
While his earlier years were filled with laughs (mostly driven by his quick witted sense of humour), Philip began to slow down in 2017, when he retired from his royal duties aged 97.
The royal has since had several stints in hospital for various health issues, proving time and time again he’s tough as old boots.
Sadly, he lost his battle today, but he will be remembered with much love by his adoring fanbase the world over.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip laughed throughout their 73-year marriage.
(Getty)The inimitable royal will be fondly remembered for his sense of humour. In fact, it’s the reason Queen Elizabeth II was told not to marry him!
We’ll never forget the time Prince Philip asked Aussie actress Cate Blanchett to fix his DVD player because she worked “in the film industry.”
In 2008, he remarked: “There’s a cord sticking out of the back. Might you tell me where it goes?”
He was also known to “traipse around” and jokes that he is the “fella who belongs to Mrs Queen”, rather than being “professionally qualified in something.”
British actress Joanna Lumley described him as the “original James Bond”.
“I think he’s just an extraordinary character,” she mused.
“He rides, sails, drives horses, fishes, swims. He really could have been Bond and he was a naval commander as well like Commander Bond.”
But we can all agree that above all, Philip will be remembered for his unwavering devotion and enduring love for his wife, Queen Elizabeth II.
The royal couple said “I do” on November 20, 1947, in a glorious ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
He was a wonderful father.
(Getty)Hilariously, the Queen’s former private secretary, Lord Charteris once admitted: “It is not unknown for the Queen to tell the Duke to shut up.”
Though there was a time when you wouldn’t get a peep out of her!
“You were so shy. I couldn’t get a word out of you,” Philip recalled of his meeting with Elizabeth in 1939.
The happy couple on their wedding day in 1947.
(Getty)After the landmark 50 years of marriage, Philip famously joked: “You can take it from me, the Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance!” The following decade he laughed that, “the secret of a happy marriage is to have different interests.”
Joking aside, it is clear that it is the Prince’s utter devotion to his wife that has been a backbone to their incredible partnership.
“My job first, second and last is never to let the Queen down,” he has sweetly said.
On November 20, 2020, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated 73 years of marriage – they were truly onto something.
Keep up to date with our rolling coverage as the world mourns Prince Philip – we’ll keep you posted on all developments via nowtolove.com.au.
Gone but never forgotten, RIP Prince Philip.
(Getty)For more on Prince Philip’s passing and his colourful life, read the stories below
Prince Philip’s funeral plans are underway – here’s what we know so far
Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip shared a beautiful love story
