Prince Philip, 98, has mainly remained around Sandringham Estate since his retirement in 2017. His disappearance from public life and the rise of the global coronavirus pandemic today prompted unfounded rumours suggesting the Duke of Edinburgh had died – something sources close to Buckingham Palace have denied.

Prince Philip was trending on Twitter on Wednesday as coronavirus cases in the UK hit 2,626.

Many social media users made unfounded and unsupported claims suggesting the Duke of Edinburgh had passed away.

However, sources close to the Palace speaking to the Telegraph have categorically denied these vicious rumours.

The sources instead confirm the 98-year-old husband of the Queen is alive and well.

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The latest incident began when an anonymous WhatsApp user claimed Philip had died.

Breaking News Editor at The Telegraph Gareth Davies said: “RE. rumour the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, is dead – it’s nonsense.

“Source close to Buckingham Palace tells me he’s absolutely fine.

“I don’t know what would possess someone to start a lie like that, but stop. It’s weird and incites panic. We don’t need that right now.”

Despite Prince Philip being one of the top trends in the UK, the Duke of Edinburgh is enjoying his retirement in good health at Wood Farm in the Sandringham Estate.

The Queen was accused of fleeing Buckingham Palace amid coronavirus panic last week.

However, Buckingham Palace said these accusations were unfounded and her visit to Windsor Castle was in fact typical.

The Queen returned to Buckingham Palace on Monday.

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Several social media users inaccurately claimed the Prince had died as a result of coronavirus.

This week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Britons to avoid all non-essential social contact and travel.

It is expected the PM will urge vulnerable persons and over-70s to undertake self-isolation for up to 12 weeks this coming weekend.

This would mean, several members of the Royal Family, including the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles, would not be able to attend Princess Beatrice’s wedding.

Princess Beatrice was due to wed her fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on May 29.

However, she has now cancelled the wedding reception and the ceremony is currently under review.

Royal expert Phil Dampier told Access: “If the coronavirus reaches Italian proportions in the UK, I seriously doubt the Duke will run the risk of travelling to London for Beatrice’s wedding.

“He has not been coming into contact with many people in recent weeks.”

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