[custom_adv] Prince Philip, the Greece-born royal who as the husband of Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-serving consort to a British sovereign, died Friday. He was 99. [custom_adv] “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle,” the royal family announced. “Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss. [custom_adv] ” The Duke of Edinburgh’s death came 12 days before Queen Elizabeth’s 95th birthday on April 21, two months before what would have been his 100th birthday on June 10 and on the 16th anniversary of the marriage of Prince Charles and Camilla. Under a long-standing plan known as “Operation Forth Bridge,” his death ushers in a period of national mourning. [custom_adv] The royal family webpage was replaced with a tribute page in black in memory of the prince, who was married to Elizabeth for nearly 74 years.“The official website of the Royal Family is temporarily unavailable while appropriate changes are made,” the royal.uk site said. [custom_adv] Philip had insisted that he did not want the “fuss” of a state funeral at Westminster Hall, according to The Times of London. The Royal College of Arms announced that Philip’s body will lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George’s Chapel, in line with custom and his wishes. It said there will be no state funeral and no lying in state. It also said the date of the funeral will be announced. [custom_adv] “The funeral arrangements have been revised in view of the prevailing circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and it is regretfully requested that members of the public do not attempt to attend or participate in any of the events that make up the funeral,” it added in a statement. [custom_adv] Philip, whom the queen referred to as “my constant strength,” was hospitalized in February after “feeling unwell,” and was treated for an infection and a preexisting heart condition, Buckingham Palace said. He was released a month later after undergoing a heart procedure. [custom_adv] Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement that “it was with great sadness” he had been informed of Philip’s death, reflecting on the duke’s “extraordinary life and work” and offering his condolences to the queen. [custom_adv] Matthew Glencross, a historian at King's College London, says these statements may have been intentional. "The man was no idiot," he says. "The man knew when he was saying certain things. And I think he almost deliberately did it. He kind of enjoyed it, because it provided the light side of a royal tour." [custom_adv] If it bothered Queen Elizabeth, she never let on. Philip was her closest companion and confidant and one of the last links to her life before the throne. [custom_adv] "He is someone who doesn't take easily to compliments. But he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years," she said 50 years after their wedding. The couple had four children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.