Prince Philip to retire from royal duties

Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, is to retire from royal duties in the autumn, Buckingham Palace said today.

Earlier, news agancies reported that a meeting of household staff called at Buckingham Palace was not about the health of either the Queen or Duke of Edinburgh.

Officials at the palace did not say what the meeting, reported to involve all senior staff from across the UK, was about.

Such internal royal meetings usually happen about once a year.

The Queen has just returned to her London residence following her extended Easter break at Windsor.

She turned 91 last month while Prince Philip will celebrate his 96th birthday in June.