Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, dies at age 99

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, dies at age 99.

Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband of more than 70 years, passed away at Windsor Castle on Friday, Buckingham Palace announced.

The Duke of Edinburgh spent 65 years supporting the Queen but retired from his public role in 2017.

Philip married the then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947 and was the longest-serving royal consort in British history.

He and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A former naval officer and keen polo player, Philip enjoyed robust health well into old age. But he had a number of health issues in recent years.

Related: Prince Philip timeline: Not your average royal consort

The Queen’s husband was admitted to a London hospital on Feb. 17, 2021 after feeling unwell. He spent a month being treated and was released on March 16, when he returned to Windsor Castle.

His illness was said to not be related to COVID-19 — the Queen and Philip were vaccinated against the coronavirus in early January.

Read the full statement from Buckingham Palace:

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces 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 made in due course.

“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered his condolences Friday, saying “Prince Philip lived an extraordinary life.”

“As a naval hero in the Second World War, as the man who inspired countless young people through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and above all, as Her Majesty the Queen’s loyal consort,” wrote U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

“Our thoughts are with Her Majesty and her family, who have lost not just a much-loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We are a kingdom united both in grief and gratitude; grief at Prince Philip’s passing and gratitude for his decades of selfless service to the country,” Johnson added.

In a statement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talked about the Duke of Edinburgh’s “great service to others,” through Philips naval career as well as his philanthropic work.

“The Duke always sought out the best in people and challenged them to strive for greater heights,” Trudeau said.

“Prince Philip maintained a special relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces and over the years became Colonel-in-Chief of six Canadian units,” the prime minister continued, highlighting more of Prince Philip’s ties to Canada’s military as well as his impact on the world.

“The global program that bears his title — the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award — has helped empower millions of young people from all backgrounds to realize their greatest potential, and is but one example of his contributions to the social fabric of this country and the world,” Trudeau said.

Prince Philip’s last visit to Canada was in April of 2013. At that time, Trudeau notes “the Duke was named the first-ever Extraordinary Companion of the Order of Canada by the Governor General of Canada.”

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