Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Duke of Edinburgh will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year.
The Palace released a statement revealing that the Duke, 95, will be stepping back from public life, but will continue to associated with over 780 charities and associations, of which he is a patron or member. His decision comes with the full support of the Queen.
'His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year. In taking this decision, The Duke has the full support of The Queen,' read the announcement, which was issued at around 10am this morning.
'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,' it continued.
'The Duke of Edinburgh is Patron, President or a member of over 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated, although he will no longer play an active role by attending engagements.'
'Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the Royal Family.'
Members of the royal household were called to a meeting at the Palace this morning, led by the Lord Chamberlain and the Queen's Private Secretary.
The Palace was forced to deny rumours that there was any cause for concern over the Queen or the Duke's health, after social media users and some foreign news outlets began to speculate over the nature of the announcement, guessing that it might involve an abdication or the death of a royal.
Yesterday, the Duke carried out his royal duties as normal, attending the opening of a new stand at Lord's cricket ground where he joked, 'You're about to see the world's most experienced plaque-unveiler.'