Prince Philip, the love of Queen Elizabeth‘s life since she was just 20 years old, has passed away. Philip’s passing comes after several stints in the hospital for various health issues.
The royal family took to their official website to issue a statement following the beloved prince’s death. “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.”
Queen Elizabeth Makes Brief Statement Following Prince Philip’s Passing
The statement continued to say that “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
Although we haven’t heard from his grandsons personally as of 8 a.m., the morning of April 9, the official Instagram account of Prince William and Kate Middleton shared a dashing black and white photo of Prince Philip along with the same statement.
Philip and Queen Elizabeth married in 1947 and had been by each other’s sides throughout the last 67 years. Together, they had welcomed four children together, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. The prince has been retired from his public duties since 2017, NBC News reports.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who is expecting their second child together have not made any statements yet.
According to NBC News, in a speech celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 1997, the Queen called her husband her “strength and stay” every since they met each other when she was just a young woman preparing to take the thrown as Queen Elizabeth II.
Philip was a cadet in the Royal Navy prior to meeting Elizabeth and as NBC News reported, lived at Kensington Palace where his grandson lives now at the age of seven with his grandmother, Victoria Mountbatten. He was set to celebrate his 100th birthday just two months from now on June 10.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Queen and her family during this difficult time.