Prince Philip's final royal engagement will take place on August 2.

Prince Philip

Prince Philip

The 96-year-old royal is set to retire from his busy schedule as husband to the monarch Queen Elizabeth next month, and it has now been revealed the final time he will be present at a royal engagement will be for a parade at Buckingham Palace in honour of the finale of the Royal Marines 1664 Global Challenge.

Philip became Captain General of the Royal Marines in 1953 when he replaced King George VI after his death, and the parade will raise money for The Royal Marines Charity.

The special parade marks the final stretch of the 1664 Global Challenge, in which marines from around the country have run 16.64 miles each day for 100 days, totalling a distance of 1,664 miles. The number is symbolic for the naval fighting force, which traces its roots back to the year 1664.

A palace spokeswoman said in a statement that the parade would "bring His Royal Highness's individual programme to a conclusion, although he may choose to attend certain events, alongside the Queen, from time-to-time."

The news comes after it was revealed earlier this year that Prince Philip would be stepping down from his royal duties after the summer.

A statement released at the time read: "His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year. In taking this decision.

"Prince Philip will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, both individually and accompanying The Queen. Thereafter, The Duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements.

"Although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time."


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