THE Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip has died at the age of 99.
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The Royal Family confirmed that he had passed away about 9pm Australian time.
"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband," the palace said in a statement, which was posted online and hung on the gates of Buckingham Palace.
"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."
Retired from official royal duties since 2017, Prince Philip had been hospitalised and unwell in recent months.
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Prince 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.
Prince Philip 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.
His death came two months and one day before he would have turned 100 years old.
Governor-General David Hurley said he was deeply saddened as the news broke.
"It is my solemn and melancholy duty to advise that His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has passed away earlier today," he said in a statement.
"I have informed the Prime Minister, and I understand the government will make further announcements concerning funeral arrangements and how Australians can express their condolences, in due course.
"This is a sad and historic day.
"On behalf of the Australian people, I extend our deepest condolences to Her Majesty and family, the people of the Commonwealth and to all those who share in this sad news."
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Governor-General Hurley said Australians should give thanks for His Royal Highness' lifetime of service, devotion and commitment.
"Service beginning with his time in the Royal Navy - including during the Second World War when he was mentioned in dispatches while a young sub-Lieutenant on-board HMS VALIANT.
"Devotion to Her Majesty The Queen, whom he married in 1947 and lovingly supported throughout his life, and to the entire Royal Family.
"And commitment to the Commonwealth and the many hundreds of organisations - including many here in Australia - of which he served as Patron and for whom he was a passionate advocate and supporter.
The governor-general said Prince Philip visited Australia 21 times over the years, including on each of Her Majesty's State Visits.
"He was a popular, engaged and welcome visitor to our shores.
"His impact was profound - not least on the more than 775,000 young Australians who have participated in The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award since it began here in 1959.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Duke of Edinburgh "embodied a generation we will never see again" and that arrangements to honour him would be forthcoming.
Flags will go to half mast on Saturday.
"Australians send our love and deepest condolences to her Majesty and all the royal family," he said.
"God bless from all here in Australia."
The Queen is expected to enter an eight day period of mourning for her husband of more than 70 years.
"He was the longest serving consort in history," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said shortly before 9.30pm on Friday night Australian time.
"Like the expert carriage driver that he was, he helped to steer the royal family and the monarchy ... he was an environmentalist and a champion of the natural world long before it was fashionable."
He pointed to the Duke of Edinburgh awards as among his achievements in encouraging young people.
"He fostered their hopes and encouraged their ambitions," Mr Johnson said.
"We remember the Duke for all of this, and above all his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen."
Australian leaders were quick to pay tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh and to offer condolences to the Queen.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she offered deepest sympathies to the entire Royal Family.
"The Duke of Edinburgh had a strong and lengthy relationship with NSW, visiting our state many times during his life," she said.
"While we mourn his passing at the age of 99, it is the occasion to offer thanks for a very long and dedicated life of service."
with AAP