A tribe which worships Prince Philip believes his retirement has caused a cyclone.
The 95-year-old royal – who announced on Thursday (04.05.17) he is stepping down from public duties later this year – is worshipped as a god by the people of Tanna, an island in Vanuatu in the South West Pacific because they believe he is the son of a mountain spirit.
And a severe tropical cyclone is expected to make first landfall in the northern region of the island on Saturday (06.05.17), which the villagers believe is a divine message.
Author and journalist Matthew Baylis has lived on the island and says the people will view Philip’s retirement as a sign of his divinity, much like the ‘taboo men’ of Vanuatu, who live apart from others.
He told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "They told me that they see Philip’s living in a palace, surrounded by guards, and travelling in a car with darkened windows, as evidence of his taboo status.
"So they may well see his withdrawal from public duties as connected to that – having attained some higher rung of taboo, sacred status."
Although Philip will not accept any new invites or visitation requests during the latter part of the year, he will remain committed to the engagements he has lined up from now until that period, and could attend "certain public events from time to time" if he chooses to.
An official announcement about his retirement said: "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.
"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."
Tribe fears Prince Philip retirement has caused cyclone
