REVEALED: The ‘real’ reason behind Prince Philip's retirement – Royal butler lifts lid
PRINCE Philip will make his final public appearance before his retirement today - and a royal butler has revealed the real reason he has decided to step back at the age of 96.
Prince Philip reveals reason behind retirement in 2017
The Duke of Edinburgh will meet Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace, his final of 22,219 solo engagements he has attended since he was ascended to the throne in 1952.
In the grounds of Buckingham Palace, Philip will celebrate the achievements of servicemen who have taken part in the 1664 Global Challenge, a series of strength and endurance feats raising funds and awareness for the Royal Marines Charity.
The Duke of Edinburgh's decision to step down from royal duties was announced in May, and stunned members of the royal household.
Questions over the 95-year-old prince's health have persisted for some time, and both he and the Queen were forced to pull out of several commitments over Christmas after contracting heavy colds.
It was this bout of illness coupled with the deaths of two friends that finally convinced the Prince to ease up, the Butler claimed.
Prince Philip makes his final public appearance today
A buter had revealed the private reasons behind Prince Philip's retirement
Speaking to the Daily Star, the butler, who has worked at Buckingham Palace for more than 10 years, said: “That (the death of his friends) hurt him quite bad.
"He thought: ‘I’m 95, I need to slow down'.
"And the really bad cold he had before Christmas hurt him too.
“He just thought: ‘Shall I do this entire diary?'"
The Duke of Edinburgh will retire form official duties in the Autumn
The unnamed servant also revealed the prince was hit hard by the death of Sir Brian McGrath, his close friend and former private secretary.
Sir Brian officially retired in the early 90s, but was kept on as an “extra equerry” and retained an office at the palace until his death in June last year.
The loss of Sir Brian and another close friend, plus his health over winter, made up the prince's mind, the butler said.
The prince was seen driving a horse drawn carriage at the Royal Windsor Horse show this week
"He feels this is the right choice," he said.
The prince will continue in his role until Autumn.
He was spotted steering a horse drawn carriage across the grounds of Windsor Castle at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Friday.