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The Duke of Edinburgh was born on June 10, 1921, celebrating his 97th birthday last month.
In his time as the consort of Queen Elizabeth II, he has had 22,219 solo engagements, given 5,496 speeches, and written 14 books.
In his heyday, he was said to be the busiest member of the royal family.
When he retired from official royal duties on August 2, 2017, he quipped that he was “the world’s most experienced plaque-unveiler.”
It is this cheeky wit and penchant for one-liners that he has become famous for with the public, and what he will surely be remembered for whether you like him or not.
There have been concerns for the Prince’s health in recent months as he retreats more and more from public life.
He had planned surgery on his hip in April, and while he has appeared in public since, he is looking frail.
The last time Philip stepped out was on June 24, when he joined the Queen for the Royal Windsor Cup polo match in Egham.
While there is no need for concern at this stage, it is understandable that Britain will be preparing itself for the death of a member of its beloved royal family.
Prince Philip health: With the Queen at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire on October 31, 1972 (Image: Getty )
What will happen when Prince Philip dies?
The announcement
It is expected the palace will inform the BBC who will break the news first.
If he should die overnight, the official announcement will come the next morning at 8am.
Flags all across the country will be flown at half-mast and the Prime Minister will decide which sporting and business events should be suspended on the day.
Prince Philip health: There have been concerns for the Prince’s health in recent months (Image: Getty )
The initial resting place
Usually, when a royal or important public figure dies, there is a lying-in-state at Westminster Hall, where the public can come and pay respects to the coffin.
Lying-in-state in the UK is given to the Sovereign, as Head of State, the current or past Queen Consort and sometimes former Prime Ministers.
But, as is to be expected from the no-nonsense Prince, it is thought he will go for a quieter, more private affair.
It is thought the Duke’s body will lie at St James’s Palace while funeral preparations are made.
This is the same venue where Princess Fianna lay for even days before her funeral in 1997.
The public is not expected to be able to view the body.
Prince Philip health: The last time Philip stepped out was on June 24 this year (Image: Getty )
The funeral
Prince Philip is entitled to a full-blown state funeral, including a gun carriage drawn by the Royal Navy and a military procession.
But the private Prince has said he doesn’t want a “fuss,” and it is likely we’ll see a pared-back ceremony.
Prince Philip has been closely involved in the preparations, which are being coordinated by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office at Buckingham Palace.
The service will be held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, and will be a military-style funeral.
The guest list is likely to be only family, friends and heads of state from Commonwealth countries.
Prince Philip health: Accompanying his wife at the state funeral of the Queen Mother in 2002 (Image: Getty )
The burial
The Prince is not expected to be buried at Westminster Abbey or St George’s chapel, like most monarchs and their consorts.
He will instead be laid to rest in the private Frogmore Gardens, in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The gardens are said to be special to the couple, and it’s where the Queen walks her corgis.
He won’t be alone – Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are also buried in the gardens.
Prince Philip in pictures: Great moments from the Duke of Edinburgh
Fri, July 20, 2018
A look back at his life as a boy, young man and royal consort.
Getty
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Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh turned 94 on June 10th 2015, seen here in 1940 and 2014
The mourning period
The Queen, 92, will enter an immediate Royal Mourning period of eight days when her husband dies.
During this time, new bills will not be given Royal Assent to become law, and state affairs will be suspended as a mark of respect.
After the funeral, she will continue to mourn in private, but will resume her duties behind closed doors.
The Royal Family will enter an official Royal Mourning period for 30 days, after which the Queen will return to public life.
Prince Philip health: The Queen described him as her “strength and stay” (Image: Getty )
What is next for the monarchy?
The order in line for the throne remains: Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and finally, Prince Harry.
Not much will change for the monarchy or the order of succession while the Queen is alive and wearing the crown.
But we can expect the Queen to retreat considerably once her husband, who she described on their 50th wedding anniversary as her “strength and stay,” is laid to rest.
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