Masha Midhath   09 April 2021 - 10:59 PM
Britain’s Prince Philip, husband to the Queen Elizabeth II’s side for decades, has passed away on Friday morning at age 99, Buckingham Palace announced.

A statement issued by the palace just after midday spoke of the Queen's "deep sorrow" following his death at Windsor Castle on Friday morning.

The Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving royal consort in British history, was at the Queen's side for more than her six decades of reign. The death of the Duke of Edinburgh is a profound loss for the 94-year-old monarch, who once described him as her “strength and stay all these years”.

In March, the duke left King Edward VII's hospital in central London after a month-long stay for treatment. He was admitted on 16 February after feeling unwell, and later underwent a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at another London hospital - St Bartholomew's.

Philip, who was by the queen’s side for nearly eight decades, retired from public duties in 2017 at the age of 96. His death came just months before his 100th birthday in June. The prince married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen. Prince Philip and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.