“I Can’t Stand Up Much Longer!” Prince Philip Jokes After Retirement Announcement

He may be retiring from public duties later this year, but that doesn’t mean the Duke of Edinburgh has lost any of his humour, as he joked today with guests attending a reception for the Order of Merit.

“I’m sorry to hear you’re standing down,” Sir Michael Atiyah, a mathematician who became a member of the Order in 1992, said to Prince Philip as they greeted each other at the reception at St James’s Palace which followed a service at the Chapel Royal.

“Well I can’t stand up much longer,” was the Duke’s response.

Prince Philip, wearing his own Order of Merit around his neck (he was made a member in 1968), joined Queen Elizabeth II for the engagements, which brought together 22 of the 24 living members of the Order. Among those who currently hold the Order of Merit – honouring “distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture” – were Sir David Attenborough, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, Betty Boothroyd, Baroness Boothroyd, and Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee (inventor of the World Wide Web).

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is retiring after seven decades of service, at the age of 95. @hughwhitfeld #7News pic.twitter.com/GxJAwHTDmn

— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) May 5, 2017

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Order of Merit, Orders, Sir David Attenborough, The Duke of Edinburgh.

2 Responses to “I Can’t Stand Up Much Longer!” Prince Philip Jokes After Retirement Announcement