BUCKINGHAM PALACE ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF PRINCE PHILIP AT 99

Prince Philip, the husband of the United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth II, has died at 99.

Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince Philip has died. In a statement, the Palace said, "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle".

The Prince had returned to Windsor Castle after a month in the hospital. He spent his last days with his wife, Queen Elizabeth.

British prime minister, Boris Johnson, received the news "with great sadness" and that he "inspired the lives of countless young people. 

"He helped steer the Royal Family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life".

According to the Palace statement, "The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss" and that further announcements will be made "in due course".

The Prince was the longest-serving consort in British history. He married Queen Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen, and leaves behind four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Windsor locals have been gathering outside the castle gates to pay their respects, with many leaving bouquets of flowers at the entrance. Messages and tweets have been pouring in from celebrities and politicians, including Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. She tweeted, "I send my personal and deepest condolences – and those of scotgov and the people of Scotland – to Her Majesty The Queen and her family".

Watch the BBC announcement of Prince Philip's passing in the video below.

Image credit: RALPH HEIMANS/BUCKINGHAM PALACE