Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending the Trooping the Colour ceremony. File photo
Britain's Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, will retire from royal duties this year, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Thursday.
The palace said the queen would continue to carry out her full programme of engagements.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who turns 96 on June 10, is the longest-serving consort in British history. He conducted 219 royal engagements last year.
A meeting of Buckingham Palace staff was called for in the morning, sending British news organisations into a flurry of speculation.
"His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year," the statement said.
"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."
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