Telegraph’s Prince Philip ‘death’ article removed after bizarre gaffe

Britain’s Daily Telegraph mistakenly announced the death of Prince Philip on the day the Duke of Edinburgh officially retires from royal duties.

The gaffe was made ahead of the 96-year-old’s final official royal engagement and farewell from public life on Wednesday evening.

An incomplete article was published by the newspaper’s website with the headline “HOLD HOLD HOLD Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh dies age XX.”

“The Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving consort to a monarch in British history, has died at the age of XX, Buckingham Palace has announced,” the piece read.

“Prince Philip, whom the Queen described as her ‘strength and stay’ during her record-breaking reign, passed away XXXXXXX,” it continued.

A spokesperson for the Telegraph told the Guardian that it was sincerely sorry for the mistake and rectified it immediately.

“We will be reviewing our publishing processes as a matter of urgency,” the company said.

Another mistimed obituary for Prince Philip was published in May when the duke initially announced his retirement from public engagements. The Sun accidentally published a story stating the prince had died after news of an emergency meeting called by Buckingham Palace caused a media frenzy.

READ MORE: The Sun tabloid accidentally publishes story claiming Prince Philip is dead

Prince Philip has completed 22,219 solo official engagements since 1952.

His final engagement will involve paying tribute to servicemen who took part in the 1664 Global Challenge – a series of strength and endurance challenges raising funds for the Royal Marines charity.