PRINCE Charles received the devastating news of his father's death on his sixteenth wedding anniversary to Camilla.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall were due to celebrate today but will instead be mourning the loss of Prince Philip, who died aged 99 this morning.

* Read our live blog for the very latest news on Prince Philip's death


Charles and Camilla married in 2005 at Windsor Guildhall, followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George's Chapel.

Today marks 16 years together – but celebrations are on hold as the royal family grieves for the Duke of Edinburgh.

The couple's section of the royal website has been replaced with a tribute to Philip.

Just two weeks ago they visited the "land of his grandfather".

Charles paid tribute to Greece where his dad was born in almost 100 years ago.

The couple were guests at an official state dinner at the presidential mansion in Athens for the country's Bicentenary Independence Day celebrations.

The heir to the throne hailed the "strong and vital" ties between the UK and Greece, and gave a nod to his father's link to the country.

Philip was born a prince of Greece and Denmark, allegedly on the kitchen table of his family home, Mon Repos, on the Greek island of Corfu, in 1921.

Speaking at the dinner, which had 45 guests in total and was hosted by the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Charles said: "My wife and I could not be more delighted to be back in Greece, which has long held the most special place in my heart.

"After all, Greece is the land of my grandfather; and of my father's birth, nearly one hundred years ago, in the centenary year of Greek Independence."

He added: "Later, it was in Athens that my dear grandmother, Princess Alice, during the dark years of Nazi occupation, sheltered a Jewish family – an act for which in Israel she is counted as 'Righteous Among The Nations'."

It comes as…

  • Prince Philip, 99, died at Windsor Castle this morning
  • Queen shared a poignant photo of Philip as she spoke of ‘deep sorrow’ over the loss of her husband of 73 years
  • Prince Philip funeral arrangements have been revealed
  • This Morning taken off air as Queen announces Philip’s death
  • Boris Johnson paid tribute to ‘extraordinary’ Prince Philip
  • The Duke of Edinburgh's early years were remembered after he felt Corfu on a warship
  • The Queen will be in eight days of mourning, it was reported

The couple's official two-day visit to Greece, at the request of the British Government following an invitation from Greece's prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, came eight days after Philip left hospital following a month-long stay receiving treatment.

In his speech, Charles said: "In feeling a profound connection to Greece – her landscapes, her history and her culture – I am hardly alone: there is something of her essence in us all.

"As the wellspring of Western civilisation, Greece's spirit runs through our societies and our democracies.

"Without her, our laws, our art, our way of life, would never have flourished as they have."

Buckingham Palace announced Prince Philip had died this morning.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been married to the Queen for 73 years and described as her constant strength, passed away "peacefully" at Windsor Castle this morning.

The Queen today shared a poignant photo of Philip as she talked of her "deep sorrow" in a heartfelt tribute to her "beloved" husband.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

"Further announcements will made in due course.

"The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

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