The Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, is to permanently stand down from royal duties and public engagements from the autumn of this year, Buckingham Palace announced today.

The Palace said in a statement it was a decision taken by the Duke, 95, with the support of the Queen. 

The statement read: "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.

"The Duke of Edinburgh is Patron, President or a member of over 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated, although he will no longer play an active role by attending engagements.

"Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the Royal Family."

Prince Philip was born in Greece in 1921 into the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. He married the Queen in 1947 and has been by her side during trials and triumphs ever since. 

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