PRINCE Philip is still cracking jokes at 95 after a well-wisher said he was sorry to hear he was standing down from royal duties.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who announced he will retire from public engagements in the autumn, quipped: "Well, I can't stand up much longer."

34 Prince Philip, 95, proved he is still as witty as ever while meeting guests at an engagement today

34 The Duke of Edinburgh quipped he 'can't stand up much' when asked about his retirement

34 Prince Philip, 95, looked to be on good form at a public engagement this morning Credit: PA:Press Association

34 The Duke of Edinburgh has said he will stand down from his royal duties in the autumn Credit: PA:Press Association

34 The Queen and Prince Philip pose with members of the Order of Merit today Credit: Getty Images

The gag came as the prince joked with guests while accompanying the Queen at a service for the Order of Merit in London today.

Buckingham Palace today confirmed the Duke of Edinburgh, who turns 96 next month, will no longer attend public engagements after 70 years of loyal service.

The Queen called an unexpected meeting with all senior staff and aides to announce the news.

34 Prince Philip and the Queen arrive at the Order of Merit service in London after Philip announced his retirement Credit: AP:Associated Press

34 The Duke of Edinburgh attends one of his remaining public functions after announcing he will retire in the autumn Credit: PA:Press Association

34 Prince Philip pictured leaving Buckingham Palace today Credit: EPA

A statement from Buckingham Palace 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, The Duke has the full support of The Queen.

"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.

"The Duke of Edinburgh is Patron, President or a member of over 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated, although he will no longer play an active role by attending engagements.

"Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the Royal Family."

34 The Duke and Queen Elizabeth wave as they pass crowds outside Buckingham Palace today Credit: EPA

34 The Queen and Revd Canon Paul Wright at the Chapel Royal in St James' Palace today Credit: PA:Press Association

Philip, who turns 96 next month, looked in good spirits as he stepped out of the huge dark green royal Bentley with his usual military bearing.

Wearing a blue suit, and his Order of Merit (OM) medal around his neck, Philip joined the monarch for the event at St James's Palace in London.

34 Prince Philip and the Queen, pictured at the Braemar gathering in 2015, have enjoyed decades of public engagements together Credit: Getty Images

34 The Duke feeding an elephant during a visit to Whipsnade Zoo last month, as he carries out his final year of public engagements Credit: Getty Images

34 Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh ride to Windsor Castle following the Garter Ceremony in 2001 Credit: Reuters

34 Philip at the opening ceremony of the Field of Remembrance last year Credit: EPA

Both he and the Queen appeared to enjoy themselves as they joined members of the Order for a private service in the Chapel Royal before a reception and lunch.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who is thought to have been considering retirement for a few months, has carried out 22,191 solo engagements since 1952.

He attended 219 official engagements last year and 184 in the UK between 2015 and 16, as well as visiting Germany and Malta.

The beloved Duke of Edinburgh has also attended 637 solo oversea visits.

The Eccentric Club, which the Duke is a Patron of, expressed "heartfelt gratitude" to Philip in a statement.

They added: "The Eccentric Club recognises the great service His Royal Highness has given to the club in the past and is delighted to learn that His Royal Highness will continue his support of our ancient organisation.

"The Time now is to reflect on the extraordinary friendship he has offered and his selfless service to that nation. We look forward to the continuation of that friendship as well as wishing HRH The Prince Philip a most eccentric and delightful 'retirement'."

34 Buckingham Palace's full statement on Prince Philip's retirement from royal duties Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

34 Princess Anne leaves Buckingham Palace after Prince Philip announces his retirement Credit: Getty Images

34 The Queen and Prince Philip on a Commonwealth tour to Canada in 2010 Credit: Rex Features

34 Philip, who turns 96, next month, is retiring from his royal duties Credit: Getty Images

34 The Queen, pictured yesterday, as Theresa May dissolved Parliament at Buckingham Palace Credit: Jamie Lorriman

34 Prince Philip wears a hard hat during a tour of the new Formula One HQ in 2001 Credit: PA:Press Association

34 A photo of young Prince Philip in Greek costume taken in 1930 Credit: AP:Associated Press

34 Buckingham Palace this morning, where the announcement about Philip's retirement was made Credit: AP:Associated Press

PM Theresa May was among those paying tribute as she thanked the Duke for his long-standing service to the country in a statement.

She said: "On behalf of the whole country, I want to offer our deepest gratitude and good wishes to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh."

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson added: "The Duke of Edinburgh has given the most extraordinary public service for over 60 years with dedication, energy and wit. Our nation thanks him."

Former PM David Cameron said: "HRH The Duke of Edinburgh is an outstanding public servant. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude. I always enjoyed his company, especially his BBQs!"

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "We thank Prince Philip for his service to the country and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement."

It comes after Labour frontbencher Chi Onwurah was slammed for her "bitter" tweet about the Duke's retirement.

Voters hit out at Ms Onwurah's response and asked whether she too would be working until the age of 95.

One said: "She certainly doesn't speak for me or the Labour Party. The guy is 95 and a war veteran."

34 The Queen and Prince Philip, pictured in 2004, have scaled back their royal duties in recent years Credit: Getty Images

34 The Queen and Prince Philip with a young Charles and Anne Credit: Getty Images

34 Prince Philip on the outfield at Lord's yesterday as he opened a new stand Credit: Reuters

34 Crowds outside Buckingham Palace this morning ahead of the announcement Credit: Reuters

34 Armed police outside Buckingham Palace this morning ahead of Prince Philip's retirement announcement Credit: London News Pictures

Prince Philip's Royal engagements have often been marked with hilarious - and sometimes cringeworthy - gaffes.

He told a 13-year-old boy he was "too fat to be an astronaut", said he wished Elton John would "turn the microphone off" during a Royal Variety Performance and told a pensioner he looked "starved" on a visit to the Charterhouse almshouse for elderly men.

At 95, he scaled back his official duties but continued to provide colourful remarks as he met members of the public.

The Duke was pictured yesterday looking happy and healthy as he opened a new stand at Lord's cricket ground.

He was shown a selection of cricket bats through the ages, from an 1890s blade used by Albert Trott to a huge example now ruled illegal.

The announcement comes the day after the Queen met with PM Theresa May to mark the dissolution of Parliament for the General Election.

Parliament was officially dissolved at one minute past midnight- and voters will take to the polls on June 8.

34 Prince Philip with members of the Queen's Royal Hussars during a surprise visit to Iraq Credit: PA:Press Association

34 Philip rubs noses with Honohono Morrison, of the Te Arawa tribe in New Zealand Credit: Reuters

34 The PM led the thanks to Philip, pictured at the opening of the newly built Globe in 1997 Credit: PA:Press Association

34 Prince Harry and his grandad, Prince Philip, laugh at a public engagement Credit: Getty Images

34 Prince Philip, pictured with Princess Georgina of Liechtenstein, is known for his humour at Royal functions Credit: Rex Features

34 Speculation surrounded the meeting at Buckingham Palace this morning Credit: AP:Associated Press

34 All staff from royal residences across the country were ordered to London Credit: AP:Associated Press

The Queen and Prince Philip have both relinquished royal duties in recent years.

Her Majesty stepped down as patron of more than 20 national organisations at the end of last year.

The Duke of Edinburgh broke formal ties with some of his patronages when he turned 90 in 2011.

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