Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, dies at 99

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II's husband, has died at the age of 99. Philip, who was the longest-serving consort of any British monarch and the oldest member of the royal family, reportedly died peacefully on April 9, at Windsor Castle. "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," a statement posted on the royal family's website Friday morning said. "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

News of Prince Philip's death comes nearly two months after he was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London. According to TODAY, Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time that it was a precautionary measure recommended by his doctor after Philip was feeling unwell. He underwent a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition and received treatment for an infection and returned home to Windsor nearly a month later on March 16. 

Born June 21, 1921, into Greek and Danish royalty on the Greek island of Corfu, Philip went on to join the Royal Navy. He received the title Duke of Edinburgh when he tied the knot with the then-Princess Elizabeth on November 20, 1947, in a ceremony that was broadcast on radio throughout the world. The couple went on to have four children: Prince Charles, the first in line to the British throne, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. Including Prince Harry and Prince William, they have eight grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

In more recent years, Prince Philip has suffered from health problems, including a blocked coronary artery in 2011, a bladder infection in June 2012, and hip surgery in April 2018. Philip retired from royal duties in the fall of 2017. According to NBC News, the queen has acknowledged Philip's deep influence on her many times over the years, including calling him her "strength and stay" in a speech on their 50th wedding anniversary in 1997. "I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know," she said at the time.