THE Duke of Edinburgh, who had been married to the Queen Elizabeth II of England for 73 years and described as her constant strength, passed away at Windsor Castle on Friday morning.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "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.

"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

"Further announcements will be made in due course.

"The Royal Family joins with people around the world in mourning his loss."

The royal was taken to the London’s King Edward VII Hospital on February 16 after feeling unwell.

Two weeks later, he was transferred to St Bart’s Hospital for treatment for an infection and heart condition.

Buckingham Palace then announced on Tuesday, March 16 he had been released from hospital and was in "good spirits" and "comfortable".

Philip had dedicated his life to the Queen and tragically died just before his 100th birthday in June this year.

And his death comes after a turmoil-filled 12 months for the royals after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry quit the royal family.

Prince Philip has been one of the hardest working royals - since 1952 he attended 22 219 solo engagements and 637 overseas tours in a career marked by his famous gaffes, wit and wisdom.

He had retired from his public duties at the age of 96 in 2017 after 65 years of public life.

But despite retiring, the royal last year issued a message of thanks to NHS workers facing the coronavirus pandemic.

He also made a rare appearance in public to pass on his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles to Camilla Parker Bowles.

In recent years, the duke had recently struggled with ill-health, spending time in hospital before Christmas in 2019 following a fall.

He was also involved in a car crash in January 2019 after his vehicle collided with another vehicle near the Sandringham estate.

His health scares have included heart problems, arthritis, abdominal surgery and bladder infections. 

In April 2018 he had a hip replacement operation but had recovered well for Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding a month later.

The royal was born on the Greek island of Corfu on June 10, 1921, to parents Princess Anne of Battenberg and Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark.

Soon after his birth, his family was banished from Greece and as a baby he was carried onto a British naval vessel in an orange crate.

He then went onto be educated at The Elms then onto Cheam School before going to school in Germany.

Philip then became a cadet at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth before making his way up the ranks in the Royal Navy. 

In 1942, he became first lieutenant of HMS Wallace, and at 21-years-old was one of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy.