The Duke of Edinburgh is believed to have stepped down from royal duties because he was hurt "quite bad" by the recent deaths of his close friends.
The 95-year-old royal made the decision to no longer carry out any public engagements earlier this month, and it is believed it is because the loss of his friends, including Sir Brian McGrath who passed away in June last year, as well as the bout of illness he was struck with over Christmas last year, has made him realise he needs to "slow down".
Prince Philip’s butler, who has remained unnamed but worked for the family for over 10 years told the Daily Star: "That [the death of his friends] hurt him quite bad.
"He thought: ‘I’m 95, I need to slow down’.
"And the really bad cold he had before Christmas hurt him too.
"He just thought: ‘Shall I do this entire diary?’"
And Philip believes it is the "right choice" for him to bow out of visits and events after the Autumn period.
The unnamed servant said: "He feels this is the right choice."
However, Philip – who was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark – is still allowed to attend "certain public events from time to time" in the autumn if he chooses to.
The statement read: "Although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time."
And Philip – who has Prince Charles, 68, Prince Andrew, 57, Prince Edward, 53, and 66-year-old daughter Princess Anne with Queen Elizabeth II – is set to have the "full support" of his spouse of almost 70 years, although the monarch will continue with the "full programme of official engagements".
The statement continued: "The Duke has the full support of The Queen.
"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 retires from royal duties as he’s hurt by friends death
