Buckingham Palace announces that the Duke of Edinburgh,Prince Philip to step down later this year

The Buckingham palace in a statement earlier today announced that Prince Philip husband of Queen Elizabeth II will step down this Autumn from public engagements.

Read the statement below:

''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 organizations,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 Duke of Edinburgh who will turn 96 in June will also be celebrating 70 years of happy married life with Queen Elizabeth II in November this year.