London (CNN) Prince Philip, the 96-year-old husband of British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, is stepping back from public life this week after decades by her side.

The Duke of Edinburgh will attend a parade of the Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, marking the end of his 65 years of service.

Philip announced his retirement from public duties in May. It is over five years since Buckingham Palace announced that the duke -- who married the then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947 -- would gradually "wind down" his workload, though he remained keen to perform many of his duties.

In 2016 alone, he attended 200 events as he continued to represent the royal family with his own distinctive style.

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth pose for a photo in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle on June 1.

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth pose for a photo in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle on June 1.

Prince Philip leaves King Edward VII Hospital in London on December 24, after being admitted for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition.

Prince Philip speaks with Sir David Attenborough ahead of an Order of Merit luncheon in May 2019.

Prince Philip speaks with Sir David Attenborough ahead of an Order of Merit luncheon in May 2019.

Prince Philip is seen at the wedding of his granddaughter Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in October 2018.

Prince Philip poses with the wedding party after Harry and Meghan's wedding in May 2018.

Prince Philip poses with the wedding party after Harry and Meghan's wedding in May 2018.

Prince Philip attends the wedding of his grandson Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018.

Prince Philip attends the wedding of his grandson Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018.

This portrait, painted by Ralph Heimans, shows Prince Philip in the Grand Corridor of Windsor Castle. It was unveiled in December 2017.

This portrait, painted by Ralph Heimans, shows Prince Philip in the Grand Corridor of Windsor Castle. It was unveiled in December 2017.

Prince Philip makes his final public appearance before his retirement in August 2017, attending a parade of the Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace. The event also marked an end to Philip's 64 years as captain general, the ceremonial leader of the Royal Marines.

Prince Philip makes his final public appearance before his retirement in August 2017, attending a parade of the Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace. The event also marked an end to Philip's 64 years as captain general, the ceremonial leader of the Royal Marines.

Prince Philip talks to schoolchildren in May 2017 during a visit to Lord's cricket ground in London. He opened the venue's new Warner Stand.

Prince Philip talks to schoolchildren in May 2017 during a visit to Lord's cricket ground in London. He opened the venue's new Warner Stand.

The Queen and Prince Philip wave to guests in June 2016, during celebrations for her 90th birthday.

The Queen and Prince Philip wave to guests in June 2016, during celebrations for her 90th birthday.

Prince Philip smiles as he visits an Auxiliary Air Force squadron in Edinburgh, Scotland, in July 2015.

Prince Philip smiles as he visits an Auxiliary Air Force squadron in Edinburgh, Scotland, in July 2015.

The Queen presents Prince Philip with New Zealand's highest honor, the Order of New Zealand, at Buckingham Palace in June 2013.

The Queen presents Prince Philip with New Zealand's highest honor, the Order of New Zealand, at Buckingham Palace in June 2013.

The Queen and Prince Philip attend the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony in June 2011.

The Queen and Prince Philip attend the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony in June 2011.

Prince Philip and his daughter, Princess Anne, prepare a barbecue on the Balmoral Castle estate in August 1972.

Prince Philip and his daughter, Princess Anne, prepare a barbecue on the Balmoral Castle estate in August 1972.

Prince Philip paints during the filming of the documentary "Royal Family" in 1969.

Prince Philip paints during the filming of the documentary "Royal Family" in 1969.

The Queen and Prince Philip, accompanied by sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, wave from a Buckingham Palace balcony during a parade in June 1964.

The Queen and Prince Philip, accompanied by sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, wave from a Buckingham Palace balcony during a parade in June 1964.

Prince Philip laughs as the Beatles fight over the Carl Alan Award he presented to the band in March 1964.

Prince Philip laughs as the Beatles fight over the Carl Alan Award he presented to the band in March 1964.

Prince Philip waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after his wife's coronation in June 1953.

Prince Philip waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after his wife's coronation in June 1953.

Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth were on a tour of the commonwealth when her father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952. She was next in line for the throne.

Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth were on a tour of the commonwealth when her father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952. She was next in line for the throne.

Prince Philip sits with his fiancee, Princess Elizabeth, in July 1947. He had become a naturalized British citizen and a commoner, using the surname Mountbatten, an English translation of his mother's maiden name. He was also an officer of the British Royal Navy and fought in World War II.

Prince Philip sits with his fiancee, Princess Elizabeth, in July 1947. He had become a naturalized British citizen and a commoner, using the surname Mountbatten, an English translation of his mother's maiden name. He was also an officer of the British Royal Navy and fought in World War II.

Prince Philip is the youngest of five children and the only son. After his parents' separation in 1930, he was sent to England and raised there by his maternal grandmother and uncle.

Prince Philip is the youngest of five children and the only son. After his parents' separation in 1930, he was sent to England and raised there by his maternal grandmother and uncle.

Prince Philip is dressed for a production of "Macbeth" while attending school in Scotland in July 1935.

Prince Philip is dressed for a production of "Macbeth" while attending school in Scotland in July 1935.

Prince Philip was born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark. His family left Greece in 1922 and settled in Paris after his uncle, King Constantine I, was overthrown.

Prince Philip was born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark. His family left Greece in 1922 and settled in Paris after his uncle, King Constantine I, was overthrown.

Married to Queen Elizabeth II for 69 years, the Prince is known for his wit, humor and controversial off the cuff remarks.

In April 2016 he caused amusement by taking the wheel to drive US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to lunch during their state visit to Britain. That came a month before he withdrew from attending commemorations of the Battle of Jutland in Orkney upon the advice of his doctor.

Philip's health has long been monitored not just by the palace but by the British media and public. Despite a recent hospitalization for an undisclosed infection, Prince Philip is in good health for a man in his late '90s.

During an interview with the BBC on the occasion of his 90th birthday in 2011, Philip said it was time to take a step back from his responsibilities.

"I reckon I've done my bit, I want to enjoy myself now ... have less responsibility, less frantic rushing about, less preparation, less trying to think of something to say," he said.

However, Philip continued to appear by the Queen's side. In 2012, he was with Elizabeth as she undertook a busy schedule of public engagements across the UK to mark her 60 years on the throne.

'Constant strength and guide'

In a diamond jubilee address to parliament in March 2012, the Queen said the support of her own family had been "beyond measure" throughout her reign. And she paid special tribute to the contribution of her husband, who accompanied her on so many of her official visits.

The Queen and Prince Philip arrive at the Diamond Jubilee Pageant in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May 2012.

"Prince Philip is, I believe, well-known for declining compliments of any kind. But throughout he has been a constant strength and guide," she said.

Phillip jokingly referred to himself as "the world's most experienced plaque unveiler" -- but as a child born in Greece into the turmoil of inter-war Europe, a naval officer decorated for heroism during World War II, the Duke of Edinburgh has been anything but.

When peace came, Philip remained in the navy, but rekindled an earlier friendship with Elizabeth that quickly blossomed into a public romance.

The Queen and Prince Philip wave to guests attending celebrations in London for her 90th birthday in 2016.

Philip and Princess Elizabeth were married in Westminster Abbey in November 1947, after Philip became a naturalized British subject, and shortly afterward he returned to naval duty, rising to the rank of lieutenant commander.

Newly-appointed as Duke of Edinburgh, Philip had to abandon his naval career for royal duties after the queen's father, George VI became ill. The king died on February 6, 1952 while Philip and Elizabeth were on an official trip to Kenya. It was Philip who broke the news to his wife.

'Fantastic life partner'

The early years of the couple's marriage saw the prince enjoy the height of his popularity. On their first major tour together -- to Canada and the US in 1951 -- huge crowds turned out to see the couple.

The duke himself spoke of his own struggles to find a purpose within the royal family, saying he took on patronages -- including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, which he created to recognize community service -- out of duty rather than passion.

Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh, waving through the open roof of a car on May 1948.

"I didn't want to be president of the World Wildlife Fund," he said in an interview in 1992. "I was asked to do it. I'd much rather have stayed in the navy, frankly."

Philip has had no constitutional roles other than being a privy counselor, but the queen in 1952 declared that he had "place, preeminence and precedence" next to herself "on all occasions and in all meetings, except where otherwise provided by act of Parliament."

He has been by the Queen's side as she has traveled for state visits around the world and helped her welcome a host of dignitaries.

Their relationship was discussed in a recent ITV documentary about Prince Philip and the jubilee of his much-vaunted Duke of Edinburgh award.

Sophie Wessex, wife of the couple's youngest son, Prince Edward, revealed how the pair enjoy each other's company after 69 years of marriage.

The Queen, US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Prince Philip pose together at Windsor in 2016.

"He has been a fantastic life partner for her. I think it's maybe a fairly lonely job being queen," she told ITV.

"As a female in the top job I think to have somebody you can lean on, you can discuss things with, she can be honest with behind closed doors ... I don't think she could have chosen better. And they make each other laugh, which is half the battle, isn't it?"

Even now Philip will continue to be a patron or member of hundreds of charitable organizations. And he will remain the Queen's support and best companion in the private sphere.