Prince Philip, the love of Queen Elizabeth’s life, has passed away

Prince Philip — the husband of Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh — passed away Friday at Windsor Castle in England. He was 99 years old.

Buckingham Palace announced the death Friday, saying the prince had passed away peacefully.

• “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”

Per The New York Times, Philip had spent time in the hospital multiple times over the last few years for various illnesses.

His death was not related to COVID-19, according to The Washington Post.

Who was Prince Philip?

Philip has been in the worldwide spotlight for more than 60 years. “When Prince Philip hit the world stage after World War II as then-Princess Elizabeth’s dashing suitor, he was seen as a tall, blond, athletic Viking who would breathe life into the fusty institution of the British monarchy,” according to The Washington Post.

Philip and Elizabeth were married in 1947. Elizabeth was coronated in 1953. Philip spent the better part of 65 years supporting Elizabeth in her role. He retired from public work back in 2017, according to NBC News.

• “Philip occupied a peculiar place on the world stage as the husband of a queen whose powers were largely ceremonial. He was essentially a second-fiddle figurehead, accompanying her on royal visits and sometimes standing in for her,” according to The New York Times.
• “In his active years, he helped set a new course for the monarchy under a young queen, championing Britain itself, as well as environmental causes, science and technology,” according to NBC News.

Elizabeth and Philip had a marriage full of love, according to the queen. She said in a letter right after they were married that she and Philip felt “as though we had belonged to each other for years.”