UK's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, passes away

The husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has passed away, the Buckingham Palace announced in a statement on Friday.

He was 99 years old — the longest-serving and oldest-ever consort of the United Kingdom's monarchy.

"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," the Palace said in a statement.

"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."

While the cause of death has yet to be revealed, Philip had been hospitalised over the past few years, most recently in February.

News of his death came after the monarchy was recovering from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they levied harsh claims against the royal family.

The nation grieves 

Britain will be proceeding in a state of national mourning in the same fashion as if the Queen had died. 

The mourning period will last until the duke's funeral which may be done earlier due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Government buildings and military facilities will be lowering their flags at half mast, in particular to naval flags due to Prince Philip's ties with the Royal Navy. 

However, the Royal Standard flag will continue to fly at full mast as it represents the monarchy therefore, it is never lowered.    

Funeral proceedings

Queen Elizabeth II is expected to mourn over the death of her husband Prince Philip for a period of eight days, according to The Daily Mail.

This means that the monarch will not be carrying official duties, even in private. Furthermore, affairs of the state will pause and laws will not be given the royal assent.

After the eight-day period, an additional 30-day period of Royal Mourning is expected.

A coffin with the Duke of Edinburgh's body is expected to be moved over the next few days to Chapel Royal at St James's Palace in London.

Princess Diana was also laid for several days before her funeral in 1997.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the public will not be allowed to view the body.

The Duke of Edinburgh's final resting place is expected to be in Frogmore Gardens, in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Through the years

Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born on June 10, 1921, on the island of Corfu in Greece. 

At 18 years of age he joined the Royal Navy as a cadet where he actively served in the Second World War.  

Ahead of his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, he renounced his Greek and Danish royal titles, in turn taking on the surname of Mountbatten and became a naturalised British. 

Philip had spent 65 years supporting the Queen as he travelled around the country, both on state occasions and royal visits. During his years of service he established a new course for the monarchy, where he pushed for causes in the field of environmental conservation, science and technology.

His unwavering support saw the Queen described describe him as her "constant strength and stay".

After carrying out more than 20,000 engagements, Philip concluded his term in May 2017.