An island cult who worship Prince Philip as their God may believe his retirement has triggered a tropical cyclone, according to an author who has lived among the villagers.

Residents of the remote village of Yaohnanen, on the Pacific island of Tanna, hailed a 2015 cyclone as a sign the Duke of Edinburgh would visit the islands.

Now, just as the Duke announced news of his retirement, another storm is on the way, which may be interpreted in a similar way by the villagers.

Author and journalist Matthew Baylis, who lived among the villagers, said the cyclone could indicate the Duke has reached a higher “sacred status”.

“They told me that they see Philip’s living in a palace, surrounded by guards, and travelling in a car with darkened windows, as evidence of his taboo status,” he told The Telegraph.

“So they may well see his withdrawal from public duties as connected to that – having attained some higher rung of taboo, sacred status.

“Equally, they might think he is preparing to come ‘back’ to Tanna, in some form, spiritually or bodily.”

The cult – known as the Prince Philip Movement – emerged in the 1950s but grew after Queen Elizabeth II, along with her husband Philip, visited the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu in 1974.

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Islanders believed the Duke was the incarnation of the son of a volcano spirit who, according to island legend, travelled abroad to marry a powerful woman.

Tropical cyclone Donna may intensify further by the time it reaches the region this weekend.