Britain's Prince Philip to retire from royal engagements in August

Britain's Prince Philip visits Lord's Cricket Ground where he opened the new Warner Stand, in London, May 3, 2017.  [Photo/Agencies]

The husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, is to step down from carrying out royal duties this autumn, Buckingham Palace has announced this morning.

The Palace said in a statement that the decision was made by the Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving consort in British royal history, and is supported by the Queen.

It said: "His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year. In taking this decision, The Duke has the full support of The Queen.

"Prince Philip will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, both individually and accompanying the Queen. Thereafter, The duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements, although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time."

Prince Philip, who turns 96 next month, is patron, president or a member of more than 780 organisations and will continue to be associated with them, but "will no longer play an active role by attending engagements".

The announcement comes after The Queen's most senior aides summoned her entire household to an unusual emergency meeting this morning causing rumors and speculation on social media to go into overdrive.

But Buckingham Palace's press office let it be known that the meeting did not involve the health of the royal couple.

Philip Mountbatten was born in Greece and raised in the UK, he was also educated in France and Germany, later joining the Royal Navy in 1939 when he was 18.

At just 21-years-old, the duke became the first lieutenant of HMS Wallace, making him one of the youngest in that position in the Royal Navy. He went on to reach the rank of commander in 1952.

Philip and Queen Elizabeth II married in 1947 and they have four children, including Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are both great-great grandchildren of Queen Victoria.

Prince Philip is also the longest-lived male descendant of Queen Victoria.