Prince Philip releases photograph with the Queen to celebrate his 99th birthday

It is the first public image of the duke since he was seen leaving hospital on Christmas Eve last year

The Duke of Edinburgh has released an official photograph of himself and the Queen to mark his 99th birthday.

The photograph shows Prince Philip and Her Majesty posing side-by-side outside Windsor Castle in celebration of the royal’s milestone birthday, which falls on 10 June.

In the birthday photo, the Queen is pictured wearing a bright floral dress and the Cullinan V heart-shaped diamond brooch, while Philip, with his hands clasped behind his back, looks smart in a blazer, shirt and tie, and grey trousers.

It is the first public image of the duke since he was seen leaving a private hospital on Christmas Eve last year, following a four-night admission for an undisclosed but “pre-existing condition”.

Famously described by the Queen as her “strength and stay” the duke enters his 100th year in lockdown with the monarch, but remains active and engaging with events during the coronavirus outbreak.

Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said the royal couple are likely to be using this period as an opportunity “to reconnect”.

“It is the perfect royal cocooning,” Little said. “They will make a fuss of him on Wednesday, as much as you can make a fuss of the Duke of Edinburgh.”

The duke is the longest serving consort in British history and also the oldest serving partner of a reigning monarch. In a rare public message issued in April, Philip praised those tackling the coronavirus pandemic across the UK and keeping essential services running.

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh pose outside Windsor Castle ahead of his 99th birthday on 10 June 2020 (Steve Parsons/PA Wire)

The comments, his first major statement since retiring in 2017, also recognised the “vital and urgent” medical and scientific work taking place.

The royal was born on the island of Corfu on 10 June 1921 to Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg. His early years were marked by upheaval after the family went into exile following a military coup in Greece which overthrew Philip's uncle, King Constantine I.

In 1928, Prince Philip moved to England to stay with relatives and study at Cheam Prep School, before spending a year at Salem School in south Germany, then finally enrolling at Gordonstoun School in Morayshire.

Philip went on to join the Royal Navy and, while a cadet, he first met a 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth.

He served with distinction during the Second World War and his friendship with the princess grew into love.

In 1947, the then Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten posed for engagement pictures at Buckingham Palace (PA)

The couple were married at Westminster Abbey in 1947, four months after their engagement was officially announced.

Five years later, George VI died and on 2 June 1953, Elizabeth was officially crowned and recognised as the Queen of England.