THE Duke of Edinburgh, who is 95, will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The Palace said in a statement it was the Duke’s decision taken with the support of the Queen.

The statement read: “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. 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.

“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.”

The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, has previously paid tribute to the Duke's lifetime of service.

When the Queen became Britain's longest serving monarch in 2015, the Archbishop said: 

"Throughout their long marriage, Prince Philip has combined loyalty and duty, without diminishing his independent personality and a determination to break through some of the stiffness of royal decorum. 

"His wisecracks are legendary, designed to put at ease the otherwise tongue-tied people lining up nervously to meet them. 

"We need to be reminded that he sacrificed a promising career in the Royal Navy for a very different kind of service, though no less committed."