Huge convoy of London black cabs line The Mall outside Buckingham Palace to pay their respects to Prince Philip following his death aged 99
- Dozens of London black taxi drivers made their way to The Mall to pay tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh
- Prince Philip passed away peacefully yesterday morning at Windsor Castle according to Buckingham Palace
- He spent the last few weeks of his life at Windsor following an extended stay in hospital earlier this year
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Dozens of London black taxi cabs lined The Mall just hours after the Duke of Edinburgh‘s death was announced by Buckingham Palace.
Prince Philip passed away peacefully yesterday morning at Windsor Castle launching eight days national mourning.
Shortly after the 99-year-old’s death was announced, the drivers assembled in two columns along the thoroughfare which links Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace.
Dozens of taxi drivers lined both sides of The Mall shortly after Prince Philip’s death was announced by Buckingham Palace
The Queen announced her husband’s death ‘with great sorrow’ according to a notice outside Buckingham Palace
Prince Philip, who died yesterday at Windsor Castle was the longest-serving consort in British history
Prince Philip, pictured on board HMS Ranger in June 2015, right, passed away at Windsor Castle yesterday morning according to Buckingham Palace
Drivers stood beside their cars with some placing Union flags on their bonnets to pay tribute to the war hero who was just shy of his 100th birthday.
The duke and the Queen were married for more than 70 years and Philip dedicated decades of his life to royal duty, serving the nation at the monarch’s side.
He officially retired from public engagements in the summer of 2017.
The Palace said in a statement: ‘It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
‘His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
‘Further announcements will made in due course.
‘The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.’
The death of the duke comes in the midst of the worst public health crisis for generations as the UK and countries around the globe reel from the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
As the column parked up facing Buckingham Palace, the Union Flag was flying at half mast as a mark of respect to the late Prince
It has also taken place in the aftermath of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s bombshell Oprah interview which left the monarchy in crisis after Meghan accused an unnamed royal of racism and the institution of failing to help her when she was suicidal.
Philip had returned to Windsor Castle on March 16 to be reunited with the Queen after spending a month in hospital – his longest ever stay.
He initially received care for an infection but then underwent heart surgery for a pre-existing condition.
The duke had looked gaunt as he was driven away from King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London, having been pushed in a wheelchair to the waiting car.
Philip – father to the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex – was just two months away from his 100th birthday in June.
He spent much of the Covid-19 crisis staying with the Queen at Windsor in HMS Bubble – the nickname given to the couple’s reduced household of devoted staff during lockdown.