Prince Philip to retire after final official engagement

Britains 96-year-old Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will carry out his final solo public engagement on Wednesday before he retires from royal duties.

Prince Philip, the consort of Queen Elizabeth II, announced his retirement in May, after decades of supporting the Queen, as well as attending events for his own charities and organisations. He has completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952, BBC reported.

On Wednesday, he will meet Royal Marines who have taken part in a 1,664-mile trek for charity.

As Captain General of the Royal Marines, the Duke will attend a parade on Buckingham Palace grounds to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge -- a series of strength and endurance challenges raising funds and awareness for charity.

During the event, Prince Philip will also meet veterans and cadets before receiving the 1664 Global Challenge baton. The parade will end with a march past, a royal salute and three cheers for the Captain General.

Prince Philip's association with the Royal Marines dates back 64 years to June 2, 1953, when he was appointed Captain General in succession to the late King George VI, the Evening Standard newspaper reported.

While his diary of engagements will come to an end, Buckingham Palace said Prince Philip may still decide to attend certain events alongside the Queen in the future.

According to calculation by Buckingham Palace, Prince Philip has undertaken 637 solo overseas visits, delivered 5,496 speeches, and found time to write 14 books and carried out the role of patron for 785 organisations during his royal career.

The Queen, 91, will continue her public schedule. Prince Philip has been married to the Queen for 70 years. He had an exploratory operation on his abdomen in 2013 and was treated for a blocked coronary artery in 2011.

On announcing his retirement earlier this year, the royal consort was praised for his years of service, with Prime Minister Theresa May offering the country's "deepest gratitude and good wishes".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wished him "all the best in his well-earned retirement".

--IANS

soni/vt