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Prince Philip carries out final royal engagement before retirement | UK News | Sky News

Prince Philip carries out final royal engagement before retirement

An appearance with the Royal Marines concludes his official royal life, but the palace says he may choose to attend future events.

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Prince Philip retires: His final solo engagement
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The Duke of Edinburgh has attended his final official engagement, but the palace has hinted it won't necessarily be the last time we see him on royal duty.

Prince Philip, who turned 96 in June, was at a parade at Buckingham Palace to mark the finale of the Royal Marines 1664 Global Challenge.

He became Captain General of the infantry force in 1953, following the death of the Queen's father George VI.

Prince Philip meets Royal Marines during his final solo royal engagement before retirement
Image: Prince Philip pictured at the Royal Marines event

The 1664 challenge raises money for The Royal Marines Charity.

This year marines from around the country have run 16.64 miles each day for 100 days, totalling a distance of 1,664 miles, a symbolic number for the naval fighting force which traces its roots back to 1664.

Buckingham Palace announced in May the Duke would not be taking on any more solo engagements from autumn this year.

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Prince Philip retires: A retrospective

A palace spokeswoman said the parade would "bring His Royal Highness's individual programme to a conclusion, although he may choose to attend certain events, alongside the Queen, from time-to-time".

More on Duke Of Edinburgh

:: Prince Philip: Speeches, plaques and gaffes

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Prince Philip's most memorable moments

It was the Duke who decided now was the right time to step back from public life, and he does so with the "full support" of the Queen.

The palace has said it was not a decision made on the advice of doctors.

Since 1952, Prince Philip has carried out 22,220 solo public engagements, taken 637 solo overseas trips, made 5,493 speeches and authored 14 books.

He became the longest-serving consort in the British monarchy's history in 2009 and is the oldest ever male member of the British Royal Family.

  1. The Royal couple laugh as they watch the sack race during the annual Braemer Highland Games on 7 September 2013 in Braemar, Scotland
    Image: 'How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to pass the test?' The Prince's question to a Scottish driving instructor
  2. Prince Philip
    Image: The Duke of Edinburgh was filmed during an RAF photocall for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain as he shouted at a photographer
  3. Prince Philip
    Image: 'It looks as though it was put in by an Indian.' His thoughts on an unsophisticated fuse box spotted during a tour of an electronics company
  4. Duke Of Edinburgh Presents Medals At The Royal Society Of Edinburgh
    Image: 'You'll never fly in it, you're too fat to be an astronaut.' The Duke dashed a 13-year-old boy's ambitions of space travel
  5. Royal visit to Australia in 2002
    Image: 'Do you still throw spears at each other?' A question to an Indigenous Australian during a visit to the country in 2002
  6. Prince Philip
    Image: 'People usually say that after a fire it's water damage that is the worst. We are still trying to dry out Windsor Castle.'
  7. Prince Philip
    Image: 'Deaf? If you're near there, no wonder you are deaf.' The Duke to a group from the British Deaf Association who were standing near a band
  8. Prince Philip
    Image: 'Everybody was saying we must have more leisure. Now they are complaining they are unemployed.' His assessment of the 1981 recession
  9. Prince Philip
    Image: '(Have you) a pair of knickers made out of this?' Raised eyebrows with a query about tartan underwear to the then leader of the Scottish Conservatives
  10. 1986: On a visit to China, Philip joked to British students: “If you stay here much longer, you’ll go slit-eyed.”
    Image: 'If you stay here much longer you'll all be slitty-eyed.' A now infamous aside to a group of British students in China in 1986
  11. "It's a pleasure to be in a country that isn't ruled by its people." Comments to the then Paraguayan dictator General Stroessner
    Image: 'It's a pleasure to be in a country that isn't ruled by its people.' Comments to the then Paraguayan dictator General Stroessner
  12. Prince Philip
    Image: 'You're about to see the world's most experienced plaque-unveiler.' At Lord's cricket ground, in a recent public engagement

Phil Dampier, who has written several books about the Duke of Edinburgh, said it was the right decision for the Duke to wind down his duties.

He told Sky News: "At 96 I really do feel he deserves a rest.

"I don't think he's going to disappear completely, I'm sure he'll turn up for various jobs with the Queen here and there but the nice thing is now he can pick and choose them, and relax when he wants to, and that's good for the nation I think."

Buckingham Palace has confirmed there are no plans for the Queen to reduce her official workload.

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

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Cambridge sign the visitors book during their visit to Canada House on July 19, 2017 in London, England
Image: Prince Philip has often been at the Queen's side during public appearances

Younger members of Team Windsor, as the family have been described, will be expected to increase their royal workload to support the Queen.

Last week Prince William gave up his job as an air ambulance pilot to become a full time royal.

Philip, however, may pop up at public events from time to time, such as Trooping the Colour in future years or even support the Queen during the proposed state visit for US president Donald Trump.

Martin Palmer, a close friend and adviser to the Duke, believes Prince Philip's support for the Queen and his personal contribution to national life should not be underestimated, as behind the scenes he remained head of the family as his wife carried out the role of head of state.

Mr Palmer said: "I think his greatest achievement has been to support the Queen through probably one of the most tempestuous periods the monarchy has ever been through and, in a sense, to wear the trousers in the family, so the Queen could wear the crown."