LONDON (AP) – For over 65 years, he has been the unwavering presence alongside Britain’s longest-serving monarch, the consummate consort and royal representative.
On Wednesday Prince Philip will make his 22,219th – and final – solo public engagement. He will be meeting Royal Marines who have completed a 1,664-mile (2,678-kilometer) trek to raise money for charity.
After that, the Duke of Edinburgh will still appear at Queen Elizabeth II’s side – from time to time – as the 91-year-old monarch soldiers on. In the meantime, the man known for his quips and gaffes has already been joking about his big retirement day.
“I’m discovering what it’s like to be on your last legs,” the 96-year-old Philip told celebrity chef Prue Leith at a recent palace event.
Philip is patron, president or a member of over 780 organizations, with which he will continue to be associated – but he won’t play an active role by attending engagements. The queen supported the decision, which was greeted with an international press flurry when it was announced in May.