BREAKING: Prince Philip has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace has announced.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."

Prince Philip's concern for young people inspired him to create the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme which saw many youngsters from Hitchin and north Herts take part over the years. The Duke also supported more than 800 charities and good causes including wildlife conservation, technology and sport.

Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born on the island of Corfu in 1921. His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, son of King George I of the Hellenes.

His mother, Princess Alice, was a daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

At the age of 18, the prince joined the Royal Navy as a cadet.

He saw active service during the Second World War, serving in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean, and was mentioned in despatches for his bravery.

In 1947 he renounced his Greek and Danish royal titles, took the surname Mountbatten and became a naturalised British subject before his marriage to Princess Elizabeth.

The prince married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen, and was the longest-serving royal consort in British history.

The couple had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.