The Duke of Edinburgh is retiring from royal duties this autumn, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The decision was made by Prince Philip himself and is supported by the Queen, a palace spokesman said.

He will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August but will not accept new invitations.

The prince – who turns 96 next month – is patron, president or a member of more than 780 organisations and will continue to be associated with them.

However, he “will no longer play an active role by attending engagements”, Buckingham Palace said.