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The Duke of Edinburgh is expected to focus on his hobbies – including carriage driving.  But the 96-year-old may choose to attend charity events and support the QUEEN on state engagements

“when he thinks the Queen would like it”, friends said. Dickie Arbiter, the Queen’s former press secretary and author of On Duty With the Queen, said: “He will still be fulfilling

engagements from time to time.  "He is taking charge of his own life, instead of having private secretaries saying do you want to do this in March, this in April? “Invitations will

still come in and he will either accept or reject them depending on what interests him.  "He will still accompany the Queen on major state occasions. “He is not retiring from life just

official engagements.” PRINCE PHILIP took up carriage driving in 1971 after retiring from polo aged 50. He became a leading figure in the sport and was involved in defining many of the rules

for competitive events while president of the International Equestrian Federation from 1964 to 1986. The Duke also has a love of painting, birdwatching, writing and heading into Windsor

Great Park, where he holds the office of Ranger.  Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine, said Prince Philip could spend more time at the Sandringham Estate but may find retirement

difficult.  He said: “The Queen is already in Scotland and he will follow her up there in nine or 10 days or so and will enjoy some peace and tranquillity.  "It’s a place they both love

and can unwind after a busy summer. "I think we will see the Duke do some events from time to time because after a while he may get a bit bored, he will go carriage driving but having

been a public servant for 70 years, it will be very hard for him to give it up.”  Royal biographer Gyles Brandreth added: “He won’t disappear from public view altogether. He will still be on

parade when he thinks the Queen would like it."