Photo: Xinhua

Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has died at the age of 99.

"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle," said a statement issued on behalf of the royal family. "Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

Prince Philip had been married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, during which time he accompanied her on her duties around the United Kingdom and the world, including a 1986 trip to China, the first by a reigning British monarch.

He retired from public duty in August 2017 after seven decades of service and more than 22,000 solo engagements, in addition to his appearances with the Queen.

His last formal appearance was at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan in May 2018 at St George's Chapel, Windsor.

In April 2020 he issued a statement praising the work of emergency services during the novel coronavirus outbreak, and in July 2020 made a rare public appearance to transfer his role as colonel-in-chief of The Rifles regiment to the Duchess of Cornwall, after 67 years of supporting its troops.

Earlier this year, Prince Philip spent four weeks in hospital after suffering an infection and undergoing treatment for a pre-existing heart condition.

His death will be marked by a period of public mourning, with details of the funeral to be announced at a later date.